Perceptions of Local and Traditional Government Leaders for Enhancing Community Development

Authors

  • Andrews Jack Dotsey University of Ghana
  • Olivia Kwapong University of Ghana
  • David Addae University of Ghana
  • Issahaka Fuseini University of Ghana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47604/ijlg.3078

Keywords:

Perceptions, Local government, Traditional Government, Leadership, Fusion, Authority, Metropolis

Abstract

Purpose: There are two key governance forms in Ghana, specifically traditional governance and democratic governance. Accelerating development in the local communities requires effective collaboration and the fusion of the two governances divide to harness the unique capabilities and opportunities embedded within each paradigm. The perceptions hold by local and traditional leaders about each other is fundamental to collaborative efforts. Such perceptions speak to the psychosocial, convictional and behaviour of local leaders.

Methodology: This study through a field survey samples the views of two leadership divide about each other in terms of their ability to drive positive change in the community to drive accelerated community development. The study was conducted among three select districts specifically, the Accra Metropolis, Kumasi Metropolis and the Tamale Metropolis using key informant interviews, and focus group discussions to gather the data. The data was analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings: The findings of the study indicated that there are shared perceptions of strengths of both systems of governance for developing local communities. The traditional leaders are seen to be strong on cultural legitimacy, moral authority, communication competence, and historical knowledge, all of which helps in social mobilization within the local communities. The local government leaders were found to exercise strength in the areas of access to money and resources, legal authority, and enforcement authority.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: We conclude that there are opportunities to harness each of these strengths such that a successful fusion of local and traditional systems of government will lead transformative leadership for sustainable local development.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Adekola, G., & Nwogu, G. A. (2015). Challenges of community development in an emerging democracy: Implications for adult and non-formal education. International Journal of Education and Research, 3(6), 455-466.

Adjei, P. O. W., Kwaku-Busia, A., & Bob-Milliar, G. M. (2017). Democratic decentralization and disempowerment of traditional authorities under Ghana’s local governance and development system: a Spatio-temporal review. Journal of Political Power, 10(3), 303-325.

Afful, K. (2015). Traditional Governance Influence on Democracy in Africa. Retrieved from https://academicworks.cuny.edu/cc_etds_theses/591

Akaateba, M. A., Huang, H., & Adumpo, E. A. (2018). Between co-production and institutional hybridity in land delivery: Insights from local planning practice in peri-urban Tamale, Ghana. Land use policy, 72, 215-226.

Arnold, M. V., & Stillman, L. (2013). Power, Communities, and Community Informatics: a meta-study. The Journal of Community Informatics, 9(1), 1-15.

Baldwin, K., & Mvukiyehe, E. (2015). Elections and collective action: Evidence from changes in traditional institutions in Liberia. World Politics, 67(4), 690-725.

Boateng, P. (2013). Dualism in local Governance: The Case of Chieftaincy and local Government in Small Communities of Akyem Abuakwa State of Ghana (Doctoral dissertation, University of Ghana).

Creswell, J. W., & Clark, V. L. P. (2017). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Sage publications.

Dapilah, F., Bonye, S. Z., & Dawda, T. D. (2013). From conquerors to development partners: The changing roles of traditional authorities in local level development and governance in Ghana. Scottish Journal of Arts, Social Sciences and Scientific Studies, 11(2), 3-13.

Fuseini, I. (2021). Navigating traditional and modern institutions in city governance: the role of chieftaincy in spatial planning in Tamale, Ghana. African Studies, 80(2), 230-248.

Giddens, A. (1991). Structuration theory. Past, Present and Future. In: Bryant, C. and Jary, D.(eds.). Giddens’ Theory of Structuration. A Critical Appreciation. London: Routledge, 55-66.

Holzinger, K., Kern, F. G., & Kromrey, D. (2016). The dualism of contemporary traditional governance and the state: Institutional setups and political consequences. Political Research Quarterly, 69(3), 469-481.

Honyenuga, B. Q., & Wutoh, E. H. (2019). Ghana’s decentralized governance system: the role of Chiefs. International Journal of Public Leadership, 15(1), 2-18.

Hustedde, R. J., & Ganowicz, J. (2002). The basics: what's essential about theory for community development practice?. Community Development, 33(1), 1-19.

Jackson, P., Muzondidya, J., Naidoo, V., Ndletyana, M., & Sithole, M. P. (2009). South African governance in review: Anti-corruption, local government, traditional leadership. Cape Town: Hsrc Press.

Logan, C. (2013). The roots of resilience: Exploring popular support for African traditional authorities. African Affairs, 112(448), 353-376.

Maak, T., & Pless, N. M. (2006). Responsible leadership in a stakeholder society–a relational perspective. Journal of business ethics, 66, 99-115.

Mahama, C. (2009). Local government and traditional authorities in Ghana: Towards a more productive relationship. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, (4), 7-25.

Martiskainen, M. (2017). The role of community leadership in the development of grassroots innovations. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 22, 78-89.

Mayombe, C. (2018). From social exclusion to adult education and training for community development in South Africa. Community Development, 49(4), 398-414.

McConnell, C., Muia, D. D., & Clarke, A. (2022). International community development practice. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

Myers, W. M., & Fridy, K. S. (2017). Formal versus traditional institutions: evidence from Ghana. Democratization, 24(2), 367-382.

Nketsia, N. K. (2014). African culture in governance and development: The Ghana paradigm. Ghana Universities Press.

Nukunya, G. K. (2003). Tradition and change in Ghana: An introduction to sociology. Ghana Universities Press.

Odoom, D. (2017). Conceptualizing decentralization: Reflecting on some existing literature. Applied Research Journal, 1(4): 21-38

Owusu-Mensah, I. (2014). Politics, chieftaincy and customary law in Ghana’s fourth republic. The Journal of Pan African Studies, 6(7), 261-278.

Panyin, O. A. O. (2010). Chiefs and traditional authorities and their role in the democratic order and governance. policycommons.net.

Tural, E. (2017). Organizational Transformations in Community Design Centers: An Analysis through Giddens’ Theory of Structuration Framework. Journal of Community Practice, 25(2), 253-282.

Turpin, M. (2017). Autopoiesis and structuration theory: a framework to investigate the contribution of a development project to a rural community. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 34(6), 671-685.

UNDP. (2014). Governance for Sustainable Development: Integrating Governance in the Post-2015 Development Framework. https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/publications/Discussion-Paper--Governance-for-Sustainable-Development.pdf

Van Lierop, K., & Roy, C. (2018). Connecting Adult Education, Community Development, and Place: A Literature Review.

Yaro, J. A. (2013). Neoliberal globalization and evolving local traditional institutions: implications for access to resources in rural northern Ghana. Review of African Political Economy, 40(137), 410-427.

Downloads

Published

2024-11-12

How to Cite

Dotsey, A., Kwapong, O., Addae, D., & Fuseini, I. (2024). Perceptions of Local and Traditional Government Leaders for Enhancing Community Development. International Journal of Leadership and Governance, 4(4), 11–29. https://doi.org/10.47604/ijlg.3078

Issue

Section

Articles