The ‘silent pistol’ in Ghana’s local government system: presiding members vs. chief executives

Decentralisation and local governance aim at local economic development, but collaboration among key actors at the local level is essential in realising this objective. However, at district assembly level Ghana exhibits problematic conflicts between district chief executives (DCEs), who head the executive committee, and presiding members (PMs) who convene and preside over assembly deliberations, acting as speaker. This study aims to unpack the main causes of such unsavoury conflicts by using 13 case studies from the Ashanti Region. Both primary and secondary data were collected for the study. Primary data was gathered from a selection of 40 key informants drawn from three main groups including DCEs, PMs, and other stakeholders such as regional coordinating council members, assembly members and chiefs. The main research instrument was one-on-one in-depth interviews with participants. The study found deep-seated conflicts between DCEs and PMs, in some cases even transcending these two actors to involve a greater section of actors within the local government administration. The study noted that professional bureaucrats within the local government service are affected when allegations of affiliation are levelled against them. The study also found that the legal status of DCEs and PMs appears to be the main driver of potential conflict, although other context-specific issues were also prevalent

Theory and practice of governance collaboration : institutional assessment in collaborative natural resource governance

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2018.ENGLISH SUMMARY : Complexities of the post-New Public Management (NPM) era have resulted in a new governance regime that hinges on ‘collaboration’, a network-based model that links various stakeholders (state and non-state actors) to promote sustainable governance. This study sets out to examine the theory and practice of collaborative natural resource governance (CNRG) with a special focus on the triggers of collaboration and institutional evolution using the experience of Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary in Ghana. The study’s first two objectives are conceptual in nature to advance knowledge in the field of CNRG which culminated in publishing two peer-reviewed articles (Chapters Five and Six). The first article “Rising to the challenge: A framework for optimising value in collaborative natural resource governance” provides pointers to enhance the process of natural resource collaboration (Chapter Five). A second article “Institutional assessment in natural resource governance” conceptualises the interplay of formal and informal institutions in natural resource governance (Chapter Six). Empirically, the study adapts the philosophy of transdisciplinary research approach (published as peer-reviewed article in Chapter Four), interspersed with ethnography, to advance three key objectives. The first empirical objective was to identify the trajectory of institutional evolution as well as the triggers. Results and conclusions are published as a third article “Complex Crisis’ and the rise of Collaborative Natural Resource Governance: Institutional Trajectory of a Wildlife Governance Experience in Ghana” in Environment, Development and Sustainability Journal (Chapter Seven). A second empirical objective was to examine the interplay of formal and informal institutions in the governance of wildlife in the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary (BFMS). This is to be published as a fourth article “Two sides of the same coin: Synergy between formal and informal institutions in natural resource governance” (Chapter Eight). A final phase of the study discussed a “bottom-up” approach to natural resource governance collaboration to foster sustainable governance of resources. This was also published as “Comparative Conservation Studies: A “Bottom-up” Natural Resource Collaborative Governance” (Chapter Nine). A general conclusion derived from the study is that the ability of a natural resource governance system to adjust or readjust its institutional underpinnings and governance regime in the face of threat, of whatever form or intensity, contributes immensely to the viability of the particular ecosystem. Institutions must necessarily evolve to adapt when there is sufficient evidence that the existing regime has become weakened in the face of the changing internal and external conditions of social-ecological systems.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Die kompleksiteit van die post-Nuwe Openbare Bestuur (NPM)-era het gelei tot ’n nuwe regeer- en bestuurstelsels met betrekking tot ‘samewerking,’ ’n netwerkgebaseerde model wat verskeie belanghebbendes (staats- en nie-staatsdeelhouers) verbind om volhoubare beheer en bestuur te bevorder. Hierdie studie ondersoek die teorie en praktyk van samewerkende of kollaboratiewe natuurlike hulpbronbestuur (CNRG) met ’n spesiale fokus op die snellers wat samewerking en institusionele evolusie van stapel laat loop deur die ondervinding wat by die Boabeng-Fiema aapvlugsoord in Ghana opgedoen is. Die studie se eerste twee doelwitte is van nature konseptueel om kennis op die gebied van CNRG te bevorder. Dit het aanleiding gegee tot die publikasie van twee portuur-beoordeelde artikels (hoofstukke 5 en 6). Die eerste artikel, “Rising to the challenge: A framework for optimising value in collaborative natural resource governance,” bied aanduidings vir die bevordering van die proses van natuurlike hulpbron-samewerking (hoofstuk 5). ’n Tweede artikel, “Institutional assessment in natural resource governance,” konseptualiseer die wisselwerking tussen formele en informele instellings in natuurlike hulpbronbestuur (hoofstuk 6). Empiries-gesproke pas dié studie die filosofie van die transdissiplinêre benadering toe (as portuur-beoordeelde publikasie in hoofstuk 4 gepubliseer), afgewissel met etnografie om sodoende drie belangrike doelwitte te bevorder. Die eerste empiriese doelwit was om die trajek van institusionele evolusie te identifiseer, sowel as die snellers wat dit aan die gang sit. Resultate en bevindinge is in ’n derde artikel, “Complex Crisis’ and the rise of Collaborative Natural Resource Governance: Institutional Trajectory of a Wildlife Governance Experience in Ghana” in Environment, Development and Sustainability Journal (hoofstuk 7) gepubliseer. ’n Tweede empiriese doelwit was om die wisselwerking tussen formele en informele instellings in die bestuur van wild in die Boabeng-Fiema Bobbejaantoevlugsoord (BFMS) te ondersoek. Dié sal as ’n vierde artikel, “Two sides of the same coin: Synergy between formal and informal institutions in natural resource governance“(hoofstuk 8) gepubliseer word. ’n Slotfase van die studie het ’n “onder-na-bo” benadering tot natuurlike hulpbronbestuur bespreek met die oog op die bevordering van volhoubare hulpbronbestuur. Dié is ook gepubliseer as “Comparative Conservation Studies: A “Bottom-up” Natural Resource Collaborative Governance” (hoofstuk 9). ’n Algemene afleiding wat uit die studie gemaak is, is dat die vermoë van ’n natuurlike hulpbronbestuurstelsel om sy institusionele onderstutte en regeerstelsel in die aangesig van ’n bedreiging, in watter vorm of intensiteit ookal, aan te pas, of her aan te pas, oneindig veel bydra tot die lewensvatbaarheid van die spesifieke ekostelsel. Dit is nodig dat instellings moet ontwikkel om aan te pas waar daar voldoende bewys is dat die bestuur- en regeerstelsel in die lig van veranderde interne en eksterne toestande van sosiaal-eklogiese stelsels verswak het

Business Ethics in Islam: Assessing Traders' Understanding of Islamic Work Ethics; Perspectives of Muslim Market Women in Kumasi Central Market, Ghana

The study aimed at assessing Muslim traders' understanding of Islamic Work Ethics (IWE) using perspectives from Muslim Market Women in the Kumasi Central Market in Ghana. Being an exploratory study, the purposive sampling technique was adopted to select nineteen (19) respondents to be interviewed using the one-on-one in-depth interview instrument. The participants involved twelve (12) Islam Women Traders, five (5) regular customers of the traders and two (2) Muslim Religious Leaders. The study found out that the main Islam ethical teachings for Islam traders include Sincerity, honesty, humility, fairness in pricing, truthfulness, love for customers and fellow traders. The study concludes that Islamic Women traders in the Kumasi Central Market do have fair understanding of Islamic Work Ethics. A major recommendation this study makes is to encourage a methodical training and education of Muslim Women on the accepted trading ethics and standards enshrined in Islam. The focus of these trainings should be on the rationale for the principles and consequences for non-abiders. Again, the study recommends for the formation of women groups which could serve as a springboard for inviting Islam religious leaders to encourage and assist them through seminar and educative programmes. Further studies on the phenomenon should assess the impact of knowledge of these ethical principles on the trading behaviors of Islamic Women Traders in the Kumasi Central Market

A Critical Assessment of Public Administration and Civil Disobedience in Developing African Democracies: An Institutional Analysis of Mob Justice in Ghana

Public administration exists primarily to enforce laws and the extent to which this mandate is carried out espouses trust among citizenry in the entire political system. The study aimed at assessing the relationship between institutional effectiveness and civil disobedience in Ghana using the specific case of how perception of unresponsive police and legal systems do contribute to mob justice. The study adopted the case of Nima Community in Greater Accra Region. The study sampled 140 respondents involving 40 police officials and 100 community members using the simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Semi-structured questionnaire was the main research instrument. Findings of the study revealed that mob justice is prevalent in the Nima community not that the people are lawless per se but it is an action to put ‘the fear of God’ or to deter potential criminals in the community. More importantly, mob action is perpetrated to ensure justice is given to individuals for their actions. The study revealed that whilst respondents view the action as barbaric and affront to human rights and the law, they are compelled to do so because the alternative is probabilistic. The study found out that, the absence or insufficient law enforcement agents, and the perceived unsatisfactory performance of the security agents as well as legal system greatly influence mob violence. The study concludes that people perceive the police system and law courts to be too slow in reacting to issues of stealing, crime, robbery and murder which to the people demand quick interventions; this suggests that the ability of the law enforcement officials and agencies to work conscientiously to the satisfaction of the populace does have a greater implication on how people obey the law and trust the legal regime. Put differently, if the police and law courts work effectively, professionally, and impartially, it will inspire confidence and trust among community members to report crime suspects on daily basis without recourse to mob justice. The study makes four main recommendations to help curb the phenomenon of mob justice. Keywords: Mob justice, Civil disobedience, Instant justice, Institutions, Developing countries, Ghan

An Ideal or a Reality? Does Islamic Work Ethics Reflect the Trading Behaviours of Muslim Market Women in Ghana?

Knowledge of work ethics does not in most cases reflect the realities of people’s lives. The study aimed at assessing Muslim Women Traders’ understanding of Islamic Work Ethics (IWE) and how it influences their trading activities. A case study design within the qualitative research paradigm was employed for the research. Both the purposive and simple random sampling techniques were adopted to select 208 respondents for the study. Nineteen (19) of the respondents were interviewed using the one-on-one in-depth interview instrument whilst a structured questionnaire was distributed among 189 traders in the Kumasi Central Market. The study found out that whilst traders have fair understanding of Islamic ideals and trade principles, it does not necessarily influence their trade habits. The main constraints that affect women traders in their attempt to follow the Ideal Muslim practices include: Economic difficulties, family pressure and problems, greed, ignorance on the part of some Muslims, individual differences, disregard for the teachings and emulation of other people’s bad behaviour. The study, therefore, concludes that the Islam ethical teachings do not necessarily reflect the practices or lives of Islam women traders in the Kumasi Central Market. Keywords: Islamic work ethic, Ethical trading, Trading behaviour, Religion, Egoism, Ghan

Quarter III

ABSTRACT In Ghana, decentralization was properly instituted in 1988 to promote participatory democracy and to enhance service delivery. However, for almost 26 years of its practice, the concept has not effectively achieved these objectives. Most people tend to be indifferent making voter turnout in local elections very low. This study sought to explore an alternate approach for explaining this phenomenon of poor voter turnout by examining the effect of administrative responsibility of district assemblies on citizens' participation in local elections using the case of Techiman Municipality (TMA) in Ghana. A case study design within the qualitative research paradigm was adopted. Multi-stage sampling involving purposive, cluster and simple random techniques were employed for the study. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were the instruments of primary data collection. The study found out that TMA has not institutionalized appropriate mechanisms to ensure regular interaction with its constituents and has not also resourced assembly members to regularly interact with their respective electoral areas. The study reveals that turnout in rural electoral areas is higher than those of urban and peri-urban areas. The study concludes that the character of a district assembly and that of respective electoral areas do have effect on the attitude and posture of rational voters. The study recommends all district assemblies (MMDAs) to institutionalize (localize) mechanisms to oblige and resource MMDA members to adopt the concept of administrative responsibility

In search of Ubuntu in an African SME: A case of a transitional entrepreneur

This study sets out to address the decontextualized discourse on African entrepreneurship and attempts to locate it within the socio-cultural context using the philosophy and principles of Ubuntu. It investigates and traces how Ubuntu informs the motive, decisions and actions of the African entrepreneur. The study contrasts the Ubuntu-based decisions of the entrepreneur with the individualistic economic rationalism expected of an entrepreneur in a typical market economy. It presents a peculiar case of a young entrepreneur who started a business in 2013 which has gone through lots of experiences and trajectories that are relevant to Ubuntu philosophy. The study is underpinned by grounded theory research design which enabled us to analyze Ubuntu values and motivation through the entrepreneur’s actions and stories. The research provides insights into the “contours” of the business journey and how social capital helps to sustain the firm. The nuances of economic rationality and humanity feature in this study as the business reached critical moments where the owner was torn between folding up and thinking about the potential impact of this decision on the employees. The research draws policy implications for entrepreneurs in Africa and encourages scholars to interrogate Westernized approaches to the concept of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship

State-business relations for entrepreneurial takeoff in Africa: institutional analysis

Purpose: Reports and experiences suggest that several developing African economies are faced with entrepreneurial-impeding forces such as lengthy bureaucratic processes and poor regulatory space. The study examines a general trend in “doing business performance” among selected African countries and uses the case of Ghana to explore how particular indicators or forces affect the development and deployment of small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) policies. Design/methodology/approach: Comparative analysis of six African economies on their ease of doing business score. This is followed by a critical review of the literature to develop a six-point explanatory framework to explore the relative position of the six countries on the ease of doing business scores. Using Ghana as a critical case study, the authors deploy an in-depth case study analysis via in-depth interviews of relevant stakeholders to validate the information from secondary sources. Findings: The study observes that the nature of leadership, socio-cultural imperatives, economic structure and policy and the role of domestic institutional players and international players have implications for the extent to which the state creates an enabling environment for SMEs and entrepreneurial activities. The role of supportive cultural software that will help drive SME and entrepreneurial growth has been established. The study contends that different aspects of national culture do have implications for the tendency for people to be business-minded or to have the ability to take risks. The demand and supply sides are crucial in promoting SME growth. Originality/value: The study develops a framework that helps explore elements to help explain ease of doing business scores and the viability of SMEs in Africa. These elements were validated through qualitative interviews as well.</p