Citizens’ Participation in the Decentralization Process in Ghana (Published)
Participation in decision-making is the root of democratization, as democratization is widely believed to be rooted in decentralization. As such, citizens’ participation in the decentralization process will bring governance closer to the people. The focus of the study was to explore the views and understandings of citizens about Ghana’s decentralization process. The researcher used the case study design for the study. Both questionnaire and interview protocol were used for data gathering. One hundred and six people in the area were conveniently sampled to become respondents in the study. For the method of data analysis, the researcher used tables and percentages. The study found out that nearly 25% of the citizens have no or very little understanding of the decentralization process. Even though majority of the citizens took part in local elections, the citizens were not part of the decision making process, planning of developmental projects and paying taxes/levies to the district assembly. The non-performance of Unit Committee Members were found to be the cause of citizens’ non-participation in the decentralization programme even though there were other factors that generally affected the programme in the North Tongu District. The study recommended that the need for some more education in the Decentralization Process for all citizens.
Keywords: Citizen, Decentralization, Ghana, Participation, Stakeholders
The Process Model of Conflict Resolution (Published)
This paper is a contribution to the theory, principles and practice of conflict resolution. It takes on the task of publishing a model – a process model of conflict resolution – developed following a research into the resolution of an inter-ethnic conflict. We discussed the process model in terms of conflict resolution dynamics and practices. The discussion outlined the factors, processes and conditions which make resolution possible using the lessons drawn from our research into how one of Ghana’s most intractable conflicts, the Nkonya-Alavanyo conflict in the Volta Region, was resolved. The paper argued that conflict resolution should be understood as a process involving many dynamics including actors, issues, times, resources (finance) and conditions in the context where the conflict occurs. The model stresses the importance of resolving conflict through community structures, highlighting the importance of careful mapping of the conflict in order to identify the dynamics (issues and the actors) involved. We argued that conflict resolution should be approached as a multi-layered dynamic process where the latencies are interconnected, procedural and parallel. We argued that funding is an essential ingredient in conflict resolution as is timing of resolution efforts, trust building, long term commitment and capacity building (confidence building) and sensitivity to local context issues. We put forward the idea that conflict resolution is a multi-dimensional process involving a broad spectrum of actors, activities, processes, and resources.
Keywords: Conflict, Conflict Resolution, Ghana, Nkonya-Alavanyo, Process Model
A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR ENCOURAGING EDUCATIONAL INVESTMENT THROUGH “NNOBOA” IN GHANA (Published)
Traditionally, using “Nnoboa”, a mutual-aid, for small number of people has worked miracles to improve standard of living and quality of life of rural dwellers. Dadson [3] points out that the concept has been developed into a multi-purpose network-based theory of raising social capital. The need to use it nationwide has not been tested. With the technology such social networking, future educational investment could be implemented to help the poor to work together to achieve synergy that uplifts the quality of life. We propose a conceptual model that shows how to accelerate individual and institutional development of society through careful implementation of the “Nnoboa” or mutual-aid concept
Keywords: Educational Investment, Ghana, Nnoboa