Description
Book SynopsisSince it achieved independence in 1957, the West African state of Ghana has become the torchbearer of African liberation, as well as a laboratory for the study of endemic problems facing the African continent. In terms of democratic consolidation, the country holds a unique position on the continent as beacon of stability and democracy. Politics, Governance, and Development in Ghana takes critical stock of the landmark themes that have dominated its history since independence. The contributors address issues such as citizenship, civil society, the military, politicians, chiefs, transnational actors, the public sector and policies, the executive branch, decentralization, the economy, electoral politics, natural resources, and relations with Asia and the diaspora. These themes support “mobilizing for Ghana’s future,” which is the theme for the diamond jubilee celebration of Ghana’s independence. Edited by Joseph R.A. Ayee, this book will deepen the literature on studies on Ghana especially in the areas of politics, governance, economy and development; serve as a resource for academics, students, practitioners; and commemorate the diamond jubilee celebration of Ghana’s independence.
Trade ReviewThis well-written book brings together in a masterful way a collection of essay contributions on a wide range of governance-related issues in Ghana. The great strength of this book, which makes use of theory and practice, and draws on different academic disciplines and theoretical paradigms, is that it provides a timely and valuable contribution regarding the socioeconomic and political developments that have taken place in Ghana since its independence in 1957, and what next steps should be taken to ensure Ghana sustains its governance successes. The nuanced chapters provide overviews of several emerging issues and reorients our understanding on why despite challenges, Ghana has made great strides in maintaining its status as a success and model of good governance in Africa. Undoubtedly, the comprehensive accounts and explanations of governance in Ghana, and the knowledge and insights from the diverse perspectives should make it attractive to academics, policy makers, development agencies and development practitioners. -- Peter Arthur, Dalhousie University
Table of ContentsForeword Naomi Chazan Preface and Acknowledgements Introduction – Politics, Governance and Development in Ghana Joseph R.A. Ayee Chapter 1: Ghana’s Political Class, the Citizen and the Future of the Welfare State, 1957–2017 Kwame A. Ninsin Chapter 2: Chiefs and Politicians in Ghana: Competitors, Collaborators or Uneasy Bedfellows? Emmanuel Siaw and Alex K.D. Frempong Chapter 3: Liberal Democracy and Civil Society from “Below” in Ghana: Can the Subalterns Act? Jasper Abembia Ayelazuno and Lord Mawuko-Yevugah Chapter 4: Democracy, Civil Society and the Emergence of the National Health Insurance in Ghana Hassan Wahab Chapter 5: From Praetorian Guards to Guardians of the Fourth Republic: Problematizing the Role of the Military in Ghana’s Quest for Democratic Development Nene-Lomotey Kuditchar and Timothy Ba-Taa-Banah Chapter 6: Transnational Actors and Policymaking in Ghana Rosina Foli Chapter 7: Transnational Political Activism in the Ghanaian Diaspora George M. Bob-Milliar Chapter 8: Six Decades of Ghanaian Statecraft and Asia Relations: Strategies, Strains, and Successes Lloyd G. Adu Amoah Chapter 9: Six Decades of the Public Sector in Ghana Joseph R.A. Ayee Chapter 10: Executive Dominance of Public Policy Making since Independence in Ghana: Perception or Reality? Abdulai K. Mohammed Chapter 11: A ‘fine line’: Examining the Delicate Relationship between Political and Bureaucratic Heads in the Civil Service of Ghana Frank L.K. Ohemeng Chapter 12: The Pitfalls and Prospects of Decentralization in Ghana: Implications for the National Mobilization for Development Agenda Richard Asante and Emmanuel Debrah Chapter 13: Change and Continuity in Ghana’s Electoral Politics (1951–2016) Alex K.D. Frempong Chapter 14: Sixty Years of Independence and a Decade of Oil Discovery in Ghana: Oil Curse or Blessing? Emmanuel Graham and Ransford E.V. Gyampo Chapter 15: Ghana’s Post-colonial Economy, 1957–2017 Edward Nketiah-Amponsah, Iddisah Sulemana and Gloria Afful-Mensah Conclusion Joseph R.A. Ayee About the Contributors
