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Periodical article | Leiden University catalogue | WorldCat |
Title: | Decentralization for rural development: exogenous factors and semi-autonomous programme units in Ghana |
Author: | Aryeetey, E. |
Year: | 1990 |
Periodical: | The Community Development Journal: An International Journal for Community Workers |
Volume: | 25 |
Issue: | 3 |
Pages: | 206-214 |
Language: | English |
Geographic term: | Ghana |
Subjects: | rural development agricultural projects |
External link: | http://search.proquest.com/pao/docview/1304156250 |
Abstract: | This paper examines the environment within which implementation of the largest integrated agricultural investment programme in Ghana was carried out. First, the rationale behind the use of a semiautonomous institution (which involves 'the delegation of decisionmaking authority for specific functions to organizations that are not under the direct control of central government ministries') in rural development in general is considered. Then, the case study, the Upper Regional Agricultural Development Programme (URADEP) is introduced and its objectives and strategies for the development of the then Upper Region of Ghana are highlighted. An analysis of the attempt to create a decentralized machinery for integrated rural development (IRD), especially examines how exogenous factors affected the institutional framework for the planning and management of the programme, including considerations of how such important indices as the national and regional political structures, policymaking processes, local power structure, sociocultural factors, the inadequate organization of programme beneficiaries, and the inadequacy of the physical infrastructure affected programme implementation. The essence of this analysis is to show that the success of a rural development programme is quite clearly linked to the active participation of local political institutions, even when it is carried out by an administratively decentralized organization, supported by large resources. In conclusion, the impact of the programme on the intended beneficiaries, the farming communities, is mentioned. Bibliogr. |