Local Government and Community Participation; Prospect of the Unit Committee Model in Ghana´s Decentralization Program

Abstract

The unit committee model representing the basic structure of Ghana’s decentralization and local government program plays a crucial role in grassroots mobilization and community participation in the decision-making and implementation process. This paper reviews the prospects of the unit committee models as a unique feature of Ghana´s decentralization and local government policy for promoting participation at the local level. Data for the study was obtained through semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation, focused group discussions, documents, and material culture analysis. The study was conducted within the Nsawam-Adoagyiri and Suhum Municipalities in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The study revealed that local expectation from the unit committee members is inconsistent with their formal role as the basic structure of the decentralization and local government policy in Ghana. Unrealistic public expectations coupled with inadequate financial resources have resulted in total disregard for the functioning of the unit committee system. This makes the unit committee model seems to exist only by name since its impact is not so much felt at the local level making the position of the members who are elected and partly appointed a mere formality. This study recommends effective public education and institutional mechanisms to enhance the functioning of the unit committee model for members to effectively commit to their role to achieve the purpose for which the system was instituted.