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Decentralization and the Limits to Poverty Reduction: Findings from Ghana

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  • Gordon Crawford

Abstract

Decentralization has been widely implemented throughout the developing world. Its proponents, notably international donor agencies, claim that democratic local government is more responsive to local citizens' needs, inclusive of those of the majority poor, thus resulting in poverty reduction. Yet evidence remains far from conclusive and this paper challenges such claims. After reviewing recent surveys of the linkage between decentralization and poverty reduction, this paper undertakes a case study of Ghana. Findings from primary data indicate that the impact of the District Assembly system on local poverty has been limited, at best. In seeking to explain such limits to poverty reduction, attention is focused on the national context of decentralization where structural constraints are identified, which are largely intended to maintain central government control. Such obstacles challenge some of the assumptions and expectations of decentralization advocates. It is concluded that the notion of “decentralization from above” is paradoxical, with genuine devolution of power and local poverty reduction likely to require political struggles from below.

Suggested Citation

  • Gordon Crawford, 2008. "Decentralization and the Limits to Poverty Reduction: Findings from Ghana," Oxford Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(2), pages 235-258.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:oxdevs:v:36:y:2008:i:2:p:235-258
    DOI: 10.1080/13600810701702002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Johannes Jütting & Céline Kauffmann & Ida McDonnell & Holger Osterrieder & Nicolas Pinaud & Lucia Wegner, 2004. "Decentralisation and Poverty in Developing Countries: Exploring the Impact," OECD Development Centre Working Papers 236, OECD Publishing.
    2. Crook,Richard C. & Manor,James, 1998. "Democracy and Decentralisation in South Asia and West Africa," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521631570, October.
    3. Crook,Richard C. & Manor,James, 1998. "Democracy and Decentralisation in South Asia and West Africa," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521636476, October.
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    2. Frimpong Boamah, Emmanuel, 2018. "Constitutional economics of Ghana’s decentralization," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 256-267.
    3. Robinson D. BoyeBandie, 2015. "The Effects of the District Assemblies Common Fund on District Assemblies Internally Generated Revenue Mobilisation in Ghana: An Analysis of the Early Years of the Fund," International Journal of Asian Social Science, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 5(9), pages 529-542, September.
    4. Jockers, Heinz & Kohnert, Dirk & Nugent, Paul, 2009. "The Successful Ghana Election of 2008: A Convenient Myth? Ethnicity in Ghana's elections revisited," MPRA Paper 16167, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Manila Khisa, 2020. "Decentralization of Public Services and the Role of Local Government in Rural Development: Findings From Bangladesh," Journal of Public Administration and Governance, Macrothink Institute, vol. 10(1), pages 249261-2492, December.
    6. Alexander Stoecker, 2021. "Partisan Alignment and Political Corruption: Evidence from a New Democracy," MAGKS Papers on Economics 202101, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    7. Matthew Sabbi, 2023. "‘We Did Many Projects Together’: Boundary-Spanning Strategies of Councillors in Rural Ghana," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 23(2), pages 183-202, April.
    8. Benjamin Otchere-Ankrah, 2021. "Local Revenue Mobilization and Composite Budget Implementation in Ghana: Examining the Challenges," Journal of Public Administration and Governance, Macrothink Institute, vol. 11(4), pages 115129-1151, December.
    9. Seregious Be-ere, 2022. "Decentralization Reforms in Developing Countries Designed to Champion the Interests of Central Politicians and not Grassroots Development," Journal of Developing Societies, , vol. 38(1), pages 27-49, March.
    10. Alex Osei-Kojo & Nathan Andrews, 2016. "Questioning the Status Quo: Can Stakeholder Participation Improve Implementation of Small-Scale Mining Laws in Ghana?," Resources, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-16, November.
    11. Alexander Stoecker, 2021. "Partisan Alignment and Political Corruption: Evidence from a New Democracy," Volkswirtschaftliche Diskussionsbeiträge 192-21, Universität Siegen, Fakultät Wirtschaftswissenschaften, Wirtschaftsinformatik und Wirtschaftsrecht.
    12. Stoecker, Alexander, 2022. "Partisan alignment and political corruption: Evidence from a new democracy," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    13. Badru Bukenya & Pablo Yanguas, 2013. "Building state capacity for inclusive development. The politics of public sector reform," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series esid-025-13, GDI, The University of Manchester.
    14. Issah Justice Musah-Surugu & Albert Ahenkan & Justcie Nyigmah Bawole, 2019. "Too weak to lead: motivation, agenda setting and constraints of local government to implement decentralized climate change adaptation policy in Ghana," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 587-607, April.

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