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Decentralization and conflicts: A case study of the KassenaNankana West District of Ghana
Abstract
In Ghana, decentralization has been adopted as a means of promoting democracy and local
governance, but the outcomes have been problematic in some cases. This study, which assesses
decentralization and conflict in the Kassena-Nankana West District, collected both quantitative
and qualitative data from the District Assembly staff and community members through both
purposive and stratified sampling techniques. From the study, conflicts result in heightened
demand by the Kassena and Nankana for the creation of separate districts out of the existing
district. Some of the causes of conflict between the District Assembly functionaries and citizens at
the local level include low participation of citizens in decision making, poor dissemination of
information from Assembly members to community members and inadequate financial resources
for the District Assembly to undertake development projects needed by the people. District
Assemblies need to mainstream peace-building and conflict management strategies into the
Medium Term Development Plans to prevent conflicts between key stakeholders.
governance, but the outcomes have been problematic in some cases. This study, which assesses
decentralization and conflict in the Kassena-Nankana West District, collected both quantitative
and qualitative data from the District Assembly staff and community members through both
purposive and stratified sampling techniques. From the study, conflicts result in heightened
demand by the Kassena and Nankana for the creation of separate districts out of the existing
district. Some of the causes of conflict between the District Assembly functionaries and citizens at
the local level include low participation of citizens in decision making, poor dissemination of
information from Assembly members to community members and inadequate financial resources
for the District Assembly to undertake development projects needed by the people. District
Assemblies need to mainstream peace-building and conflict management strategies into the
Medium Term Development Plans to prevent conflicts between key stakeholders.
