Approaches adopted or community dynamics? Interrogating the reasons for unsustainable community development in Ghanaian slums

Abstract

Although many community development projects have been undertaken in Ghanaian slums, the slum population continues to face a myriad of problems due to the failure of many projects. This study was therefore undertaken to investigate the overarching factors for the unsuccessful and unsustainable projects. The two key elements in the practice, namely, approaches adopted and the dynamics in the communities were interrogated with much attention on how they encourage community participation. This qualitative study was conducted in Old Fadama, Nima and Ashaiman, all of which are large slums in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. It was found that the unsustainable nature of projects in the selected slums is as a result of the interplay of the approaches and community dynamics. The two approaches (self-help and technical assistance) adopted and the manner in which they are carried out do not suit the communities, due to dynamics such as poverty, high ethnic diversity, weak community bonds and insecure land tenure in Ghanaian slums. It is therefore important that the approaches adopted are tailored in ways that reflect the characteristics of the slums, and the negative dynamics that derail projects are also resolved. 

Keywords

• Community development,community dynamics,ethnic diversity,land tenure,resource constraint,self-help,technical assistance

APPROACHES ADOPTED OR COMMUNITY DYNAMICS? INTERROGATING THE REASONS FOR UNSUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN GHANAIAN SLUMS

Abstract

Although many community development projects have been undertaken in Ghanaian slums, the slum population continues to face a myriad of problems due to the failure of many projects. This study was therefore undertaken to investigate the overarching factors for the unsuccessful and unsustainable projects. The two key elements in the practice, namely, approaches adopted and the dynamics in the communities were interrogated with much attention on how they encourage community participation. This qualitative study was conducted in Old Fadama, Nima and Ashaiman, all of which are large slums in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. It was found that the unsustainable nature of projects in the selected slums is as a result of the interplay of the approaches and community dynamics. The two approaches (self-help and technical assistance) adopted and the manner in which they are carried out do not suit the communities, due to dynamics such as poverty, high ethnic diversity, weak community bonds and insecure land tenure in Ghanaian slums. It is therefore important that the approaches adopted are tailored in ways that reflect the characteristics of the slums, and the negative dynamics that derail projects are also resolved. 

Keywords

• Community development,community dynamics,ethnic diversity,land tenure,resource constraint,self-help,technical assistance

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