Stakeholder participation in development planning process in the Yilo Krobo Municipality

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2015-03-30
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People‟s participation is critical for development. The notion of people's participation in their development has been gaining momentum in the process of human empowerment and development. Decentralization has been advocated by development partners, development agencies and developing nations as an important mechanism for broadening citizen participation and improving local governance. Ghana‟s decentralisation policy emphasises grassroots participation in decision-making process at the local level. Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are enjoined by law to involve local communities and other stakeholders in the process of planning and implementation of development projects in their areas of jurisdiction. The study was therefore conducted to assess the level of participation of stakeholders in the development planning process and identify the major factors that affect the extent of grassroots participation in the planning process in the Yilo Krobo Municipality. The research procedure adopted two levels of data collection, namely the municipal and community levels by using both qualitative and quantitative methods for analysis. The case study approach was identified as the appropriate methodology for the research. Specifically, review of secondary data, structured and semi- structured interviews and community meetings were conducted to collect required data for analysis. The result of the study established that the Municipal Planning Co -ordinating Unit (MPCU) of the Assembly has high calibre of staff and the required logistical support. Additionally, participation of Assembly and Unit Committee members in decision-making and the planning process is relatively high. The study also revealed however, that poor communication, ignorance of the importance of planning, partisan politics, inadequate accountability and excessive bureaucracy are the key factors that militate against effective community engagement in the decision making process. Further, it was established that all the seven (7) Zonal Councils in the municipality were not functioning due to lack of office accommodation, permanent staff and logistical support. It is therefore recommended among others that the Assembly must undertake effective stakeholder analysis to establish who, how, when and at what level they should be involved in the planning process in the municipality. It must also constitute, resource, train and operationalise the Zonal Councils to make them functional. These among others are deemed essential for promoting participation in the governance of development in the Yilo Krobo Municipality.
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A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Development Policy and Planning, 2014
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