THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES IN PROMOTING POPULAR PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE. A STUDY OF THREE SELECTED DISTRICTS OF THE UPPER WEST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Ghana started implementing the current decentralized local government system following the adoption of the 1992 Constitution and the subsequent promulgation of the 1993 Local Government Act (Act 462) in response to the growing need for local participation in the governance process. Despite several years of implementation however, there is still a growing concern for the low level of local participation in District Assemblies' decision making processes. The study therefore investigated the extent to which District Assemblies in Upper West region promote local participation in the local governance processes. Three different samples made up of a sample of 180 community members who were either 18 years old or more: a sample of 40 elected Assembly Members and a sample one Non-Governmental Organization were selected across the three districts for the study. The District Planning Officers of the three districts of the study were also used as key informants while separate group discussions were also held with two groups of chiefs and opinion leaders in two communities within the study area. Questionnaires, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were used solicit views of individuals and institutions on participation from the standpoint of planning processes and collective decision making at the district level. Analysis of the data revealed that District Assemblies have not achieved much in promoting local participation as majority of the local people interviewed had never been part or vel') important processes including District Development Planning due to lack of information. District Assemblies will need to adopt strategies such as regular community radio discussions and phone-in sessions and holding face to face general meetings on developmental issues with their constituents from time to time to enable more people take part in the decision making process.