The nature and forms of community participation in development projects in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District of Ghana

Abstract

This study accessed the extent of community participation in development projects within the Ajumako-Enyan -Essiam District of Ghana. Development projects selected were water systems, market structures and KVIP’s. The descriptive survey research design was adopted, using semi-structured interviews, a focus group discussion guide and observation checklist to gather data from 72 respondents in six selected communities within the district. The findings indicated that both Development Agencies and beneficiaries ‘participated’ in the development projects as a means to an end. The end to the Development Agents was to meet externally induced welfare targets and to the communities, the end being meeting immediate socioeconomic deficiencies. Both choose a course of action that best suited their interest, as explained by the rational choice theory. It is recommended that the District Assembly should sensitize the communities on their roles as channels in the decentralization process, to encourage them to fully participate in the development process. On project sustainability, it is recommended that the communities take token fees from users of the facility handed over to them by the Development Agents. This will enable them to maintain the projects properly and hence sustain them.