DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
POLI 459: DECENTRALIZATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ADMINISTRATION
FIRST SEMESTER, 2016/2017
DAY: Wednesday
VENUE: Central Cafeteria
TIME: 7.30 am - 9.30 am
LECTURER: DR ABDULAI KUYINI MOHAMMED
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Course Title
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DECENTRALIZATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ADMINISTRATION
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Course Code
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POLI 459
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Course Description
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Decentralization and local governance are crucial
elements for success in development processes and in order to ensure that democratic
political systems function correctly. Local and regional governments need to be
able to rely on strong leadership abilities when it comes to these processes.
This course highlights the crosscutting nature of decentralization by
offering modules focused on macro, sectoral and governance issues. The course
begins with an overview of the global experience and a framework for
decentralization, examining the fiscal, political and administrative aspects
of decentralization, expenditure and revenue assignment, and the design of
intergovernmental relations and transfers. It also focuses on creating
understanding of the significance of local government and the basic dynamics
of the local government system. It provides the parameters for the study of
any individual system and comparison among various local government systems.
It also illuminates the direct and indirect roles of formal institutions of
local government hierarchies, as well as the roles of informal norms,
networks, community organizations, and neighbourhood associations in pursuing
collective action by defining the framework for citizen-citizen and
state-citizen interactions, collective decision making, and delivery of local
public services. Finally, it examines recent thinking about decentralization
and its impact on the good governance project, and participatory and
inclusive local development.
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Purpose and objectives
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The course provides students with an
understanding of government and decentralization models that underpin the
roles and responsibilities which local governments are mandated to carry out.
It enables them to appreciate the efficiency and effectiveness (or otherwise)
with which local authorities execute that mandate to improve living
conditions at the local level. It also helps them to understand the different
conditions under which local government decisions must be made. In addition,
it enables students to use a rational approach in the evaluation of decentralization
reforms in Ghana and other jurisdictions.
The course is a fundamental field of study
for any student who is interested in public affairs and the role of local government
in socio-economic development.
At the end of this course student should be
able to:
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Week No.
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Date
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Lecture Course
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Tutorials
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Venue
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Assessment
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1
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Aug. 24, 2016
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Conceptualizing
Local Government and Local Governance
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Distinguish between local government and local governance
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Lecture: CC
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2
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Aug. 31, 2016
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Perspectives on
Local governance and Central-Local Relations
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Examine the
conceptual perspectives that underpin central government-local government
relations
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Lecture: CC
Tutorial:
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3
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Sept.7, 2016
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Models of
Government and Roles and Responsibilities of Local Government
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Assess the models
of government and their associated local government responsibilities
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Lecture: CC
Tutorial:
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4
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Sept. 14, 2016
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Nature and Scope
of Decentralization
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Discuss the components
of decentralization reforms
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Lecture: CC
Tutorial:
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5
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Sept. 28, 2016
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Approaches to
Decentralization
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Evaluate the
effectiveness of the approaches to decentralization
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Lecture: CC
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6
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Oct. 5, 2016
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Decentralization
in Comparative Perspective
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Compare and contrast
the decentralization project in Ghana to that of Uganda
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Lecture: CC
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7-9
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Oct. 12, 2016
Oct.19, 2016
Oct. 26, 2016
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Decentralization and Local Government in Ghana
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Discuss the
nature, functions and operations of Ghana’s District Assemblies
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Lecture: CC
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Interim Assessment (30%);
7.30 am
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10-11
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Nov. 2, 2016
Nov. 9, 2016
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Chieftaincy and
Local Government in Ghana
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Discuss the role
of chiefs in local Government in Ghana
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Lecture: CC
Tutorial:
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12-13
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Nov. 16, 2016
Nov. 23, 2016
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Local Government Financing in Ghana – Source of Revenue, Budget, uses and
constraints
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Appraise fiscal
decentralization in Ghana
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Lecture: CC
Tutorial:
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Exam: 70%
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*CC = Central Cafeteria
READING LIST
Awortwi, N. (2010), ‘The past, present and future of
Decentralization in Africa: a comparative case study of local government
development trajectories of Ghana and Uganda’. International Journal of Public Administration 33: 620-634
Ayee, J. R. A (1999), Decentralization and Conflict: The case of District Chief Executives
and Members of Parliament in Ghana Accra: Friedrich Ebert Foundation
Boafo-Arthur, K. (2003), ‘Chieftaincy in Ghana: The Challenges
and Prospects in the 21st Century’, Africa and Asian Studies, 2, (2): 1-16.
Debrah, E. (2014), ‘The Politics of Decentralization in Ghana’s Fourth Republic’. African Studies Review, 57 (1) (April):
49-69.
Debrah, E. ‘Assessing
the quality of accountability in Ghana’s district assemblies, 1993 – 2008’ African Journal of
Political Science and International Relations 3
(6), pp. 278-287, June, 2009
Mohammed, A. K.
(2014), ‘An Assessment of the Impact of Local Government Fragmentation in
Ghana’, Public Organization Review 14
(4) DOI 10.1007/s11115-014-02
Mohammed, A. K. (2015), ‘The Politics of Municipal
Fragmentation in Ghana’, Commonwealth
Journal of Local Governance 16:
Ndegwa, S. N. (2002), Decentralization in Africa: a
stochtaking survey. Africa Region working paper series No. 40, November
Philip Mawhood (ed.) Local
Government in the Third World: The Experience of Decentralization in Tropical
Africa, African Institute of South Africa, 1993
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