District assemblies and rural development: a case of the Atwima Kwanwoma district assembly in the Hwediem community.
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Date
2018-11
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KNUST
Abstract
Ghana has pursued a decentralization policy since 1988 where District Assemblies (DAs) are responsible for the developmental efforts of the citizens in their jurisdiction. Newly created districts tend to encounter numerous challenges regarding the provision of developmental interventions. How do these newly-created districts operate, and what challenges do they encounter in trying to provide development interventions? This study therefore sought to assess the role of the newly created Atwima Kwanwoma district assembly in the development of Hwediem community. The study adopted a mixed method research approach with exploratory and descriptive research designs. A sample of 305
respondents comprising of 300 dwellers of the Hwediem community and 5 staff of the district assembly were selected to aid the study. Interviews and survey were carried out to gather data from respondents contacted with the help of both an interview guide and a semi-structured questionnaire. The analyses were done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings showed that residents of Hwediem in the Atwima Kwanwoma District Assembly did not perceive the District Assembly to have the requisite human and financial resources to bring developmental projects to the district. The study also showed that development projects that the assembly was able to provide have no appreciable significant impact on the economic, occupational, infrastructural, health, recreational, educational and security needs of the people. Finally, the study showed that besides participation of their elected representatives in the assembly, direct participation by residents in decision making was limited. Based on the findings, the study recommended that Districts Assemblies find ways to improve their financial capacity to
enable them embark upon more developmental projects and also increase direct public participation in decision making.
Description
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Philosophy in Sociology.