This thesis draws on an ethnographic research in Ghana to question
mainstream views on decentralisation that local level institutions can be consciously
crafted to enlist the participation of marginal actors in governance thereby leading to
efficiency and equity in development. The research explores the everyday practice of
local governance in Ntonaboma, a resettlement community in the Eastern region of
Ghana by using participant observation and interviews.
Evidence from the study reveals that first decentralisation is not a technical or
managerial exercise but rather a societal practice taking place among heterogeneous
actors with diverse interest and values. Secondly, the interactions occurring among
these diverse actors are mediated through the interplay of a variety of institutions at
the local level. Thirdly, the complex and dynamic character of decentralisation at the
community level make the specificities of context very relevant in understanding the
transformative potentials of decentralisation especially how it impacts on people and
their social organisation.
The study places emphasis on the application of agency, institutions and
authority in local governance approaches. Evidence from the study suggests that
institutionalised decentralisation inadequately provides possibilities for ordinary
people to transform the nature of their interactions within the community. The thesis
raises further questions about the simplistic and instrumental use of institutions in
local governance approaches. The study notes that institutions are not static and do
not determine outcomes but are informed by the prevailing conditions at the
community level. Thus, the actions of actors and specificities of the locality do shape
institutions. The study emphasises the role of existing institutions and socially
embedded principles in village governance. It thus suggests that, the process of
decentralisation is a political process mediated through diverse institutions and with
varied outcomes for different individuals.
The study concludes by exploring implications for local governance and
decentralisation to making local governance pro-poor.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BRADFORD/oai:bradscholars.brad.ac.uk:10454/5335 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Osei-Kufuor, Patrick |
| Contributors | Morvaridi, Behrooz, Cleaver, Frances D. |
| Publisher | University of Bradford, Development and Economic Studies |
| Source Sets | Bradford Scholars |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis, doctoral, PhD |
| Rights | <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-nd/3.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Licence</a>. |
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