http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/767 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 23:05:13 GMT 2026-07-07T23:05:13Z http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/5376 Politics of abandoned projects at the local level in Ghana- A case of Twifu Atti-Morkwa District Akwaboah, S. The implementation and delivery of projects absorb immense investment and play a significant role as a major driving force in the growth of several sectors in the economies of many countries. The successful completion of projects contributes to the socio-economic development of states and boosts the construction industry as well. However, countries around the globe face project abandonment, and within sub-Saharan Africa, Ghana is not an exception. This thesis, therefore, uses the qualitative approach to probe into the nature and prevalence of abandoned projects, the causes, and the effects in Ghana, using the Twifu Atti-Morkwa district as a case study. Fourteen (14) elite interviews were conducted, and data were collated and analyzed. After the data has been analyzed, it was however ascertained that there are many abandoned projects in the districts, and these are mostly educational and road projects, even though there are others such as abandoned sanitation, water, economic, health, and agriculture projects. With the causes of the abandoned projects, the study revealed that they were political, economic, social, physical, and technological in nature, with some examples such as political interference, delay in the release of funds, social unrest, natural and man-made disasters, and the use of obsolete technological tools and equipment. Also, the study revealed that these abandoned projects slow down economic growth and also account for financial loss to the state. There is also the loss of trust in the government by the citizens, and also some negative impacts on the environment as well, loss of tax revenue, and the decline in foreign investors in the country. The study concludes that the negative antecedents of projects being abandoned have poorly impacted on the development of the district and the country at large. Also, the persistence of abandoned projects stems from a political culture that prioritizes new projects over older ones, which is driven by the political credit dynamics. Based on the above, the study therefore recommended the early release of funds, effective monitoring and supervision of project sites, non-interference in project implementation process by political appointees, scrutinizing contractors very keenly before given them contracts, and also for contracts to be given to contractors based on qualifications and merits and not on party lines or political affiliations to help curb such menace within our communities. A thesis in the Department of Political Science Education, Faculty of Social Sciences Education, submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of degree of Master of Philosophy (Political Science) in the University of Education, Winneba JUNE, 2024 Sat, 01 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/5376 2024-06-01T00:00:00Z http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/5367 Media and public accountability in local governance in Ghana -A case study of Upper Denkyira East Municipal Assembly Odoom, B. The purpose of this study was to explore how social media and radio are utilized to promote public accountability in local governance within the Upper Denkyira East Municipality, using the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework and the Media as a Watchdog theory as guiding lenses. A qualitative research design was adopted, and purposive sampling was used to select thirty (30) participants, including local government officials, journalists, and citizens. Primary data was gathered through semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. The findings reveal that radio remains the most trusted and widely used medium for citizen engagement in the Municipality. Weekly radio programs on local stations such as Denkyiraman Radio serve as interactive platforms where officials communicate policies, receive feedback, and address public concerns. Despite institutional challenges such as financial constraints, local context, and poor internet infrastructure, citizens continue to leverage social media to raise concerns and compel action from local authorities. These platforms were found to significantly enhance transparency, citizen participation, and informal enforcement of accountability, especially in the absence of robust formal mechanisms. However, the study identifies several barriers to the effective use of media in fostering accountability. These include growing partisanship within the media landscape, political and institutional interference, inadequate access to information despite the passage of the Right to Information Act, and infrastructural limitations such as poor internet access and budget constraints. The study recommended that improvements to internet infrastructure, increased financial investment, strengthened institutional capacity for media engagement, media independence and strict adherence to RTI at the local level would go a long way to enhance public accountability. A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy (Political Science) DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE EDUCATION FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES EDUCATION UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA MAY, 2025 Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/5367 2025-05-01T00:00:00Z http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/5273 The effectiveness of legal aid commission in justice delivery -a case study of Ablekuma South Sub-Metropolitan District, Accra Opoku, E.Q This study examines the effectiveness of the Legal Aid Commission in delivering justice to vulnerable populations in the Ablekuma South Sub-Metropolitan District of Ghana. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research employs in-depth interviews with 21 participants, including legal aid officials, beneficiaries, and key stakeholders, to explore the characteristics of individuals accessing legal aid services, the pathways through which these services are accessed, and the challenges faced by citizens in obtaining legal assistance. The study is grounded in Justice Theory and Vertical Equity Theory, which emphasize procedural fairness and the need for tailored interventions to address systemic inequities in access to justice. The findings reveal that the majority of LAC clients are young adults (25-45 years), with women comprising 60% of cases, often seeking help for domestic violence, family disputes, and inheritance issues. Low literacy levels, poverty, and indirect costs such as transportation fees create significant barriers, particularly for rural populations. The study identifies multiple pathways to accessing legal aid, including referrals from community leaders, police stations, and NGOs, as well as self-initiated efforts through digital platforms. The research highlights the critical role of technology and community engagement in improving access to legal aid. Digital platforms and mobile clinics show promise but are limited by low digital literacy and poor internet connectivity in rural areas. Based on the findings, the study recommends increasing government funding for legal aid services, expanding mobile legal aid clinics, and simplifying application procedures to reduce bureaucratic hurdles. It also advocates for partnerships with NGOs and community leaders to enhance awareness and accessibility. These recommendations aim to strengthen the legal aid system in Ghana, promoting inclusivity and fairness in justice delivery. A Thesis in the Department of Political Science Education Faculty of Social Science submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy (Political Science) in the University of Education, Winneba APRIL, 2025 University of Education,Winneba http://ir.uew.edu.gh Tue, 01 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/5273 2025-04-01T00:00:00Z http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/5213 Assessment of partisanship on democracy and democratic norms in Ghana Brobbey, R. This thesis set out to assess partisanship effects on democracy and democratic norms in Ghana. Grounded in agonistic theory of democracy, examines how partisanship influences core democratic norms in Ghana—namely, political participation, civic accountability, electoral behaviour, and institutional trust. Using a survey design approach, the study operationalizes “appreciation of partisanship” through attitudinal measures and behavioural indicators. Data were analysed with cross-tabulations and chi-square tests to assess associations between partisan identity and each democratic norm. Key findings reveal that most Ghanaians—partisans and independents alike—define politics primarily as government decision-making, yet strongly favour including independent voices in policy debates. While electoral turnout is driven by civic duty rather than party loyalty, partisans exhibit higher vote loyalty even as one-third report conditional swing-voting. Over 75 percent accept election outcomes unconditionally, and the majority view petitions as legitimate tests of justice. Both groups engage robustly in civic activities—contacting officials and critiquing policy—but attend demonstrations infrequently. Partisans criticize government more often, though active citizenship does not require party attachment. Trust in the courts (over election petitions) and the Electoral Commission remains high, especially among independents. Crucially, large majorities agree that partisan conflict fuels violence at the polling station, in communities, and within households, while deterring broader participation and fostering out-group disregard. The thesis concludes that partisanship in Ghana is a double-edged sword. It energizes political engagement and accountability yet reinforces polarization, undermines inclusion, and escalates conflict. Recommendations include institutionalized bipartisan forums, targeted civic-education for swing-voter stability, transparent adjudication of electoral disputes, real-time accountability tools, and cross-party liaison structures to foster mutual respect and sustain democratic resilience. A Thesis in the Department of Political Science Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, submitted to the school of Graduate Studies, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Philosophy (Political Science) in the University of Education, Winneba JULY, 2025 Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://41.74.91.244:8080/handle/123456789/5213 2025-07-01T00:00:00Z