DEPARTMENT OF
POLITICAL SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF
GHANA, LEGON
POLI 456: NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND
DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
COURSE OUTLINE AND
READING LIST: SECOND SEMESTER, 2015/2016
LECTURER:
KWAME ASAH-ASANTE
COURSE
OUTLINE AND READINGS
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COURSE TITLE
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NON-GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA
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COURSE CODE
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POLI 456
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PURPOSE
AND
OBJECTIVES
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Since the 1980s,
the continent of Africa has experienced the influx of Non-Governmental
Organizations (NGOs). From the protection of human rights to conflict
resolution, through to the provision of aid, including that of emergency
relief, NGOs have contributed immensely towards the development of the
African continent.
Even such
critical responsibilities of the state including the provision of basic
necessities of life - potable water, security, health, etc are currently in
the hands of NGOs. This obviously paints a very gloomy picture about state
capacity in Africa, and the vacuum that has been so created that is being
filled by NGOs. .
Though the
contributions of NGOs on the continent of Africa are beyond doubt, the
question that arises is: whether NGOs alone have the magic wand to turn the
continent’s development around? Some have argued that it is only African
states themselves who can bring about their own development and not NGOs. At
best, what NGOs can offer is to play a complementary role with African states
in control of their own development agenda.
It is in the
light of this that this course is designed to shed light on the contributions
of NGOs towards the continent’s development. While discussing the
contributions by NGOs, this course will provide the various conditions
prevailing in Africa that have led to the upsurge of NGOs on the continent.
In addition, some of the theories underpinning NGO studies, Government-NGO
relationship, among others, will be examined and discussed with the view to giving
students broader perspectives on the issues under the course.
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WEEK NO.
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DATE
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LECTURE TOPIC
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TUTORIALS
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VENUE
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ASSESSMENT
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1
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01/02/16
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Development Conditions in Africa
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JQB R14
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2
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08/02/16
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Development Conditions in Africa
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JQB R14
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3
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15/02/16
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The State and NGOs in Africa
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JQB R14
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4
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22/02/16
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The State and NGOs in Africa
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JQB R14
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5
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29/02/16
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Government-NGO Relationship
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JQB R14
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6
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07/03/16
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Government-NGO Relationship
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JQB R14
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7
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14/03/16
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Theoretical Issues
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JQB R14
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8
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21/03/16
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Theoretical Issues
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JQB R1409&12
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9
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28/03/16
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Group Presentation
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JQB R14
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Continuous Assessment
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10
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04/04/16
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NGOs and Development in Africa
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JQB R14
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11
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11/04/16
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NGOs, International Politics and
Globalization
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JQB R14
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12
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18/04/16
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NGOs, International Politics and
Globalization
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JQB R14
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13
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25/04/16
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NGOs, International Politics and
Globalization
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JQB R14
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14
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REVISION
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15-17
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EXAMINATION
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READINGS
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Mazrui,
A. The African Condition (London: Helnemann)
Lockwood,
M. The State They’re In, 2nd
Ed. (Warwickshire: Practical Action
Publishing) pp. 1-45
Edem,
K. Africa
Today (Accra: University Press)
Leonard, D.K. and
Straus, S. (2003) Africa’s Stalled Development: International Causes and Cures
Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner pp. 1-19.
Lubeck,
P. “The Crisis of African Development: Conflicting Interpretations and
Resolutions” Annual Review of
Sociology 18: 519-540
Brautigam, D.
(1996) “State Capacity and Effective Governance” in Ndulu, B. (eds.) Agenda for Africa’s Economic Renewal (Oxford:
Transaction Publishers) pp. 81-105
Adrian, L.
“Bringing Politics Back In: Towards Model of the Developmental State”, The Journal of Development Studies,
Vol. 31, Issue 3 (Feb 1995) pp. 400-425.
Katsriku, B. and
Oquaye, M. (1996) Government and NGO
Relations in Ghana Accra: Friedrich Ebert Foundation
Mkandawire, T.
(2008) From Maladjusted States to
Developmental States in Africa (Accra: Institute for Democratic Governance)
Clark, J.D. (2008)
“NGOs and the State” in Desai, V. and Potter, R.B. (eds.) The Companion to Development Studies, 2nd Ed, (London:
Hodder Education) pp. 530-533.
Stephenson, C.M.
(2000) “NGOs and the Principal Organs of the United Nations” in Taylor, P. and
Groom, A.J.R. (eds.) The United Nations
at the Millennium: The Principal Organs (London and New York: Continuum)
pp. 271-292
Lata, M. (2007) Changing Role of NGO’s in the 21st
Century (New Delhi: Mahaveer and Sons), pp.1-2, 65-134.
Asante, B. (2004) World Vision International and ECOSOC Rights
in Kwahu South District (1992-2002). Unpublished M. Phil Thesis (Legon:
University of Ghana)
Ofori-Badu, E.
(2009) Assessing Non-Governmental
Organizations Contribution to Poverty Reduction in Ghana: The Case of Centre
for the Development of People (CEDEP)1997-2007. Unpublished M. Phil Thesis
(Legon: University of Ghana).
Salamon, L.M.
(2006) “Government-Nonprofit Relations from an International Perspective” in
Boris, E.T. and Steuerle, C.E. (eds.) Nonprofit and Government: Collaboration and
Conflict, 2nd Ed, (Washington D.C.: The Urban Institute Press)
pp.398-430.
Puplampu, K.P. and
Tettey, W.J. “State-NGO Relations in an Era of Globalisation: The Implication
for Agricultural Development in Africa” Review
of African Political Economy Vol. 27, No. 84 (June 2000) pp.251-272.
Lindenberg, M. and
Bryant, C. (2001) Going Global
Transforming Relief and Development NGOs (Bloomfield: Kumarian Press)
Edwards, M. et al.
(2000) “Increasing Leverage for Development: Challenges for NGOs in a Global
Future” in Lewis, D. and Wallace, T. (eds.) New
Roles and Relevance: Development NGOs and the Challenge of Change
(Bloomfield, Connecticut: Kumarian Press, Inc.) pp. 1-14.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
1. The
course will last for thirteen weeks.
2. Each
class will have a two-hour lecture in addition to a one-hour tutorial per week.
3. To
ensure effective teaching and learning, lectures will be organized in an
interactive manner. Students will be allowed to ask and answer questions in
class.
4. There
will be an Continuous Assessment (CA) test and end of semester examination. The
test will take place at the end of the 9th
week. Students will be required to undertake group presentation. The CA
test will carry 30 per cent of the final examination mark. The end of semester
examination will carry 70 per cent. During this examination, students will be
required to answer three essay questions.
