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Participation in Development Practice: A Poisonous Gift or Magic
Bullet? A Case from Ahwiaa Wood Carving Industr! Ghana

Pd'ore (dusei ('o)
(*P)il. in Develop'ent Studies!
Deprt'ent o+ ,eogrp)y% Norwegin -niversity o+ S.ien.e nd /e.)nology% N#-740& /rond)ei'% Norwy
12'il3 pd'ore'o)4y)oo..o'

A"stract
,)n5s de.entrlised plnning nd d'inistrtive syste' en.ourges t)e involve'ent o+ .o''unities nd
ordinry .iti6ens in t)e plnning nd i'ple'enttion o+ develop'ent pro7e.ts w)i.) ++e.t t)e'. 8owever% in
line wit) so'e o+ t)e .riti.is's leveled ginst prti.iption% t)e pr.ti.l spe.t o+ t)e syste' )s 9een
.o'pro'ised in 'ny situtions. :sed on .se study o+ wood .r+t villge pro7e.t t ()wi% touris'
destintion in t)e (s)nti region in ,)n% t)is pper ttests t)t% despite t)e pprent .)llenges nd .riti.is's
on t)e vi9ility nd use+ulness o+ prti.iption% t)e .on.ept is very pertinent to develop'ent pr.ti.e. -sing
;ulittive 'et)odology% dt ws gt)ered +ro' 9out 4" in+or'nts inter'ittently wit)in period o+ < yers.
(lt)oug) t)e pro7e.t )s 9een l'ost .o'plete sin.e 200=% it )s re'ined unused. Dis.ussions wit) t)e vrious
st>e)olders reveled t)t% t)e .urrent stte o+ t)e pro7e.t is pri'rily due to t)e poor prti.iptory 'et)ods
dopted in t)e plnning nd i'ple'enttion o+ t)e pro7e.t. /)e intended +inl users nd lo.l leders re
t)ere+ore )esitnt to use t)e +.ility due to nti.ipted .on+li.ts in distri9uting t)e +.ility 'ong t)e rtisns nd
trders in t)e .rving industry. It is t)ere+ore suggested t)t% prti.iption s)ould pr.ti.lly re'in .ore
prin.iple in develop'ent inititives. 8owever% it s)ould 9e opertionlly de+ined nd .riti.lly ssessed in order
to 'ini'i6e its dverse in+luen.e on develop'ent pro.esses nd pro7e.ts.
#ewords: Develop'ent% De.entrlistion% Prti.iption% ?ood .rving% /ouris'% ,)n

$%& Introduction
Develop'ent issues nd pro9le's nd t)e respe.tive 'et)ods nd ppro.)es +or ddressing t)e' .)nge over
ti'e (*i>>elsen% 200"!. /)ese .)nges )ve 9een ne.essitted 9y di++ering .onte@ts nd .ontents o+
develop'ent pro9le's. Aollowing t)e roll9.> o+ t)e stte% t)e dvn.e'ent o+ 'r>et +or.es nd 9re>down o+
regultions% t)e lterntive develop'ent prdig' too> .enter stge o+ develop'ent pr.ti.es. /)is prdig' )s
.on.erned itsel+ wit) develop'ent +ro' 9elow. /)us develop'ent dire.ted t lo.lly de+ined needs nd gols.
Con.epts su.) s e'power'ent% prti.iption nd people-.entered develop'ent )ve t)ere+ore 9een so'e o+ t)e
+rontline 'et)odsBppro.)es towrds ttining desired develop'ent gols re.ently. /)ese .on.epts lso
represent so'e o+ t)e >ey inititives in t)e i'ple'enttion o+ de.entrlised governn.e syste' nd ulti'tely in
re.)ing t)e gol o+ .onsolidted de'o.r.y w)i.) 'ny developing ntions re spiring (Pieterse% 20&0!. /)is
pper +o.uses on t)e prti.iption inititive.
Ci>e 'ny ot)er de'o.rti. sttes% ,)n pr.ti.es t)e de.entrlistion syste'. ,)nDs .urrent progr''e o+
de.entrlistion ws initited in t)e lte &0=0s. In &0==% t)e Provisionl Ntionl De+en.e Coun.il (PNDC!
govern'ent introdu.ed '7or pie.e o+ legisltive re+or'E t)e Local Government Law (PNDC Cw 207!
(Crw+ord% 2004E #wusu% 2004!. /)is lw soug)t Fto pro'ote populr prti.iption nd owners)ip o+ t)e
'.)inery o+ govern'ent 9y devolving power% .o'peten.e nd resour.eB'ens to t)e distri.t levelG (*p
Consult Ctd% 2002% p. <"!. *oreover% .)pter 20 Hrti.le 240 (20!I o+ t)e .onstitution o+ ,)n e'p)si6es t)e
prin.iples o+ prti.iption in t)e de.entrlised syste' 9y stting t)t3 J to ensure t)e ..ount9ility o+ lo.l
govern'ent ut)orities% people in prti.ulr lo.l govern'ent res s)ll% s +r s pr.ti.9le% 9e ++orded t)e
opportunity to prti.ipte e++e.tively in t)eir governn.eG (Crw+ord% 2004% p. 0!. Populr prti.iption in
develop'ent pro.ess is t)ere+ore t)eoreti.lly t t)e .ore o+ t)e de.entrlised plnning nd d'inistrtive
syste' in ,)n. -nder t)e syste'% t)e develop'ent pro.ess strts +ro' .o''unity levels w)ere develop'ent
pro9le'sBneeds re identi+ied t)roug) t)e e++orts o+ ordinry .iti6ens led 9y t)eir lo.l representtives. /)ese
pro9le'sBneeds re )r'onised wit) ot)ers identi+ied in ot)er .o''unities in t)e s'e distri.t to s.ertin t)e
distri.t develop'ent pro9le'sBneeds. /)e )r'onised distri.t develop'ent pro9le'sBneeds re t)en +orwrded
to t)e regionl .oordinting .oun.il w)ere ll develop'ent needsBpro9le's o+ ll distri.ts wit)in e.) region re
)r'onised nd presented toget)er wit) se.torl plns +ro' govern'ent 'inistries nd gen.ies s ntionl
develop'ent pln 9y t)e Ntionl Develop'ent Plnning Co''ission (NDPC!. I'ple'enttion o+ develop'ent
plns re lso undert>en toget)er wit) .o''unity 'e'9ers ((yee% 2000E #wusu% 2004!. Currently% ,)n5s
de.entrli6ed plnning nd d'inistrtive syste' .onsist o+ &0 d'inistrtive regions (Kegionl .o-.oordinting
.oun.ils!E 6 *etropolitn (res% 40 *uni.ipl (res nd &6& Distri.t (sse'9lies (,)ndistri.ts..o'% 20&<!.
/)ere re lso t)e townBre .oun.ils nd unit .o''ittees w)ere t)e develop'ent inititives nd pro.esses 9egin
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(#wusu% 2004!. /)ese stru.tures .oupled wit) t)e respe.tive ntionl 9odies re 'ent to ensure t)t ordinry
people )ve sy in t)e develop'ent plnning pro.ess. 8owever% s (yee (2000! points out% t)ere is no .ler
distin.tion on t)e >ind o+ de.entrlistion t)t s)ould 9e pr.ti.ed lt)oug) t)e entire pro.esses nd stru.ture
lens towrds devolution nd de'o.rti. de.entrlistion. Si'ilrly% t)e type o+ prti.iption (see *i>>elsen%
200"! pplied in vrious develop'ent pro.esses )ve lso re'ined '9iguous in 'ny .onte@ts. /)is )s led
to nu'erous 'isinterprettions nd 'is.on.eptions towrds t)e .on.ept. Aor instn.e% despite t)e vrious
stru.tures nd poli.ies% t)e relity wit) respe.t to t)e i'ple'enttion o+ t)e de.entrlistion prin.iples nd
prti.ulrly t)e prti.iption inititive )s )d i''ense de+i.its in 'ny .onte@ts in ,)n.
Con.erns )ve generlly 9een rised .on.erning t)e rel .ontri9ution o+ prti.iption in develop'ent pr.ti.e.
/)ere is no rel .onsensus on t)e .ontri9ution o+ prti.iption in i'proving t)e lives o+ espe.illy t)e poor nd
disdvntged groups. ?)ile so'e develop'ent pr.titioners nd .de'i.ins posit t)t t)e .on.ept is
vlueless in develop'ent pr.ti.e% ot)ers )il it s t)e 5'gi. 9ullet5 in develop'ent espe.illy in poverty
llevition. /)e pro.ess o+ pro'oting prti.iption in develop'ent pro7e.ts )ve t)ere+ore 9een driven 'ostly 9y
ideology nd opti'is' s opposed to syste'ti. nlysis 9sed on e'piri.l reser.) (*nsuri L Ko% 20&<E
Pieterse% 20&0!. /)is pper e'p)si6es t)e pertinen.e o+ prti.iption s well s en)n.es understnding o+ t)e
.on.ept 9y o++ering n e'piri.l e@'ple on t)e dverse e++e.ts o+ ine++e.tive nd ine++i.ient prti.iptory
'et)ods in develop'ent pro7e.ts. It is 9sed on issues relting to t)e .on.eption% design% i'ple'enttion nd
post i'ple'enttion sttus o+ wood .r+t villge pro7e.t t ()wi in t)e Mw9re 2st Distri.t in ,)n. /)e
pper grees wit) t)e position o+ *i>>elsen (200"! t)t insted o+ entirely dis'issing t)e vlidity nd use+ulness
o+ t)e .on.ept% it will 9e 'ore 9ene+i.il to opertionlly de+ine t)e 'ening o+ t)e .on.ept nd to spell out t)e
.)llenges in indu.ing prti.iption in respe.tive develop'ent pro7e.ts nd pro.esses.

$%$ Citi'enr Participation in Development Process: Brief Bac(ground and Criti)ue
Prti.iption ws dopted s re.tion towrds t)e )ig)ly .entrli6ed develop'ent syste' pro.li'ed 9y erlier
develop'ent t)eories nd pr.ti.es. (.tivists nd non-govern'entl institutions dee'ed t)e .entrli6ed
develop'ent syste' s 9eing dis.onne.ted +ro' t)e needs o+ espe.illy t)e poor nd 'rginli6ed in so.ieties
w)i.) 'de t)eir poli.ies less e++e.tive (*nsuri L Ko% 20&<!. Prti.iption ste''ed +ro' t)e 9elie+ t)t t)e
poor nd t)e 'rginli6ed will 9ene+it 'ore +ro' develop'ent inititives i+ t)ey re involved in t)e relevnt
spe.ts o+ plnning nd i'ple'enttion o+ pro7e.ts nd pro.esses t)t ++e.t t)e' (,reig% 8ul'e% L /urner%
2007E Pieterse% 20&0!. *oreover% it is rgued t)t t)e pro.ess o+ getting ordinry .iti6ens involved in t)e
plnning nd i'ple'enttion o+ t)eir own develop'ent pro7e.ts is not new in develop'ent dis.ourse nd
pr.ti.e. Aor instn.e% in t)e &040s% t)ere ws pro7e.t in -ttr Prdes) Indi w)i.) ws J9sed on 'o9ili6tion
o+ villgers 9y 'ulti-purpose villge-level wor>er to in.rese gri.ulturl output nd i'prove rurl
in+rstru.ture% lrgely t)roug) sel+-)elp e++ortsJ (,reig et l.% 2007% p. 2<4!. /)is pro7e.t is sid to )ve
in+luen.ed lter ppro.)es nd institutions su.) s .o''unity develop'ent (.o''unity-driven develop'ent!
nd .oopertives s well s de.entrli6tion t t)e twilig)t o+ .olonilis' (,reig et l.% 2007E *nsuri L Ko%
20&<E Pieterse% 20&0!. (lt)oug) prti.iptory reser.) nd pr.ti.e .nnot 9e tr.ed to singulr sour.e% it is
rgued t)t% dvo..y +or 'ore nd e++e.tive prti.iption in develop'ent pro7e.ts strongly 9egn +ro' t)e
&070s (C(K2% &000!.
Severl de9tes )ve lso risen on t)e 'ening o+ t)e .on.ept. /)e result )ve 9een 'ultiple positions nd
de+initions w)i.) )ve rendered t)e 'ening o+ t)e .on.ept 9lurred in 'ny situtions (*i>>elsen% 200"!.
Notwit)stnding% t)e ?orld :n> de+ines prti.iption s Jpro.ess t)roug) w)i.) st>e)olders in+luen.e nd
s)re .ontrol over develop'ent inititives nd t)e de.isions nd resour.es w)i.) ++e.t t)e'J (,reig et l.% 2007%
p. 2<6!. Prti.iptory develop'ent t)ere+ore i's t putting t)e ordinry people t t)e )el' o+ develop'ent
++irs 9y involving t)e' in t)e initition nd 'nge'ent o+ develop'ent pro7e.ts nd pro.esses (*i>>elsen%
200"!. *oreover% despite t)e 9lurriness in t)e 'ening% t)e .on.ept )s ssu'ed pro'inen.e in 'ny
develop'ent pro7e.ts round t)e glo9e. In so'e sp)eres% espe.illy in developing .ountries% t)e ppli.tion o+
t)e .on.ept is re;uire'ent in pro7e.t design nd i'ple'enttion. /)e ?orld :n> (espe.illy t)roug) its
poverty redu.tion strtegies ppers! nd 'ny ot)er donor gen.ies +or instn.e )ve in.orported t)e .on.ept
into t)eir pro7e.ts (:rown% 2004!. Prti.iptory develop'ent is t)us proposed s 'et)od +or s)rpening
poverty trgeting% i'proving servi.e delivery% e@pnding liveli)ood opportunities% nd strengt)ening de'nd +or
good governn.e (*nsuri L Ko% 20&<% p. &!. /)e vitlity o+ prti.iptory develop'ent in .urrent develop'ent
pr.ti.e is lso eviden.ed 9y t)e 'ount o+ +unding nd ttention dedi.ted to 'instre'ing prti.iption
espe.illy in developing .ountries re.ently (,reig et l.% 2007!. It is esti'ted t)t% over t)e pst de.de% t)e
?orld :n> )s llo.ted s 'u.) s -SN=" 9illion to lo.l prti.iptory develop'ent. /)ere is t)ere+ore t)e
possi9ility t)t 9ilterl donors nd interntionl develop'ent 9n>s .ross t)e glo9e )ve lso spent s 'u.) or
even 'ore t)n t)e ?orld :n> (*nsuri L Ko% 20&<!. Kegrdless o+ t)e i'portn.e nd ttention given to t)e
.on.ept over yers% nu'9er o+ .riti.is's )ve 9een leveled ginst it.
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Contrry to rgu'ents t)t t)e prti.iption inititive is set to e'power t)e ordinry people 9y involving t)e' in
develop'ent plnning nd i'ple'enttion% prti.iption )s 9een .riti.i6ed on t)e grounds t)t it does not
e'power t)e poor due to t)e +u66iness o+ t)e .on.ept 9ot) in 'ening nd ppli.tion. /)e tenet o+ t)is
rgu'ent ste''ed +ro' t)e +.t t)t% t)ere re di++erent +or's o+ prti.iption (see *i>>elsen% 200"% p. "0!.
8en.e ppli.tion o+ ny o+ t)e types o+ prti.iption irrespe.tive o+ its i'p.t on t)e pro7e.t t )nd (+or
instn.e% pssive prti.iption insted o+ lo.l inititives! 'y 9e .onstrued s prti.iption lt)oug) t)e
ordinry .iti6ens 'y )ve not )d ny in+luen.e on t)e pro7e.t nor de.isions t>en ((grwl% 200&E ,reig et l.%
2007E *i>>elsen% 200"!. Aro' 'ore rdi.l perspe.tive% it is rgued t)t prti.iption is not 'issing lin> in
develop'ent dis.ourse nd pr.ti.e s )ve 9een +orwrded 9y so'e o+ proponents o+ t)e .on.ept. In t)e lig)t o+
t)is% ot)ers )ve l9eled t)e .on.ept s 5t)e poisonous gi+t5 or 5tro7n )orse5 nd 5'yt) (,reig et l.% 2007% p.
2<=!5. /)us% in t)e words o+ K)ne' (&002% p. &67!% Jprti.iption is politi.l pr.ti.e w)i.) )s 9een 'de
politi.lly plt9le to t)e ruling .lsses nd its institutionsJ. Prti.iption in t)is sense is dee'ed s
destru.tion to st9le .ultures 9y o+ten negle.ting power di++erentils wit)in pro7e.t .o''unities (*i>>elsen%
200"!. /)e poor re t)us 'nipulted t)roug) delusionl power .eding 'e.)nis's. *oreover% ot)ers lso see
prti.iption s 'ens +or e@ternl e@perts to t>e-over +ro' lo.ls t)roug) t)e ppli.tion o+ +oreign ides nd
prin.iples. /)is t)ere+ore represents 'odern pro.ess o+ .oloni6tion o+ t)e lives o+ re'ote dwellers t)roug)
.ons.ienti6tion. /)ese .riti.s t)ere+ore give pre+eren.e to utono'ous .o''unity 9uilding nd t.t+ul
engge'ent in 'odern te.)nology nd ppro.)es (,reig et l.% 2007E *i>>elsen% 200"!. *oreover% t)ere is lso
t)e +er o+ e@.luding so'e so.il groups nd individuls in t)e develop'ent pro.ess. In t)e view o+ C)'9ers
(&004% 2002!% not ll people in given popultion )ve t)e 9ility nd .p9ility to prti.ipte in so.il
'ove'ents nd de.ision '>ing pro.ess. In )is words% t)ere is t)e dnger o+ Jnive populis' in w)i.)
prti.iption is regrded s good regrdless o+ w)o prti.iptes or w)o ginsJ (C)'9ers% &004% p. &444!.
/)ere5s t)ere+ore t)e propensity o+ leving so'e groups nd individuls out in t)e plnning nd i'ple'enttion
o+ develop'ent pro7e.ts lt)oug) t)e pro.ess is 'ent to sip)on >nowledge nd in+or'tion +ro' ordinry
people. /)is t)ere+ore poses dou9ts s to t)e ;ulity% .redi9ility nd representtiveness o+ t)e de.isions t)t re
t>en.
#wing to t)ese .riti.is's nd 'ny ot)ers s +orwrded nd dis.ussed 9y ,reig et l. (2007!E *i>>elsen (200"!E
Pieterse (20&0! nd 'ny ot)ers% lot o+ dou9t )ve 9een .st on t)e relevn.e o+ t)e .on.ept to develop'ent
pro7e.ts nd inititives. 8owever% regrdless o+ t)e division on t)e i'portn.e nd i'p.t o+ prti.iption in
develop'ent pro7e.ts% t)e .on.ept is still seen s .riti.l in develop'ent plnning nd poverty llevition in
'ny .onte@ts s eviden.ed in t)e .se presented 9elow (*i>>elsen% 200"!.

$%* Participation in Development: Case +tud
/)is se.tion presents n e'piri.l .se on t)e dverse e++e.ts o+ ine++e.tive ppli.tion o+ prti.iptory 'et)ods
in relevnt pro7e.ts. /)e .se is t>en +ro' wood .r+t villge pro7e.t t ()wi in t)e (s)nti region% ,)n.
&.2.& /)e ?ood Crving Industry in ,)n nd ()wi
?ood .rving 9egn s pro'inent industry +or +orest regions nd res in ,)n 'inly +or its .ulturl
i'portn.e. /)e industry )s 9een wit) ,)nins +or .enturies. In 'ny situtions% t)e s>ill is trns+erred
in+or'lly t)roug) t)e +'ily linege syste'. Culturlly% wood .r+ts 7ust s ot)er .ulturl sy'9ols nd rti+.ts
re seen s 'ens to e@press peopleDs t)oug)ts% 9elie+s nd wy o+ li+e t)roug) sy'9ols designed to
.o''uni.te spe.i+i. 'essges (#9eng% *ens)% L Pentsil% 20&&E #>r)% 2002!. Crving nd ot)er .ulturl
rti+.ts lso 'ni+est t)e +ol>lore% environ'entl .)r.teristi.s nd uni;ue s.ien.e nd te.)nology s well s
t)e est)eti. ;ulity nd )u'nisti. di'ension o+ given ntion (NCC% 2004!. /)e wood .rving industry )s
)istori.lly plyed >ey role in .ulturl pr.ti.es nd displys espe.illy 'ong t)e people o+ (s)nti in ,)n.
/)e .tivity ws previously dee'ed s leisure ti'e wor> nd in so'e instn.es s n .tivity +or
supple'enting )ouse)old in.o'e (#9eng et l.% 20&&!. /)e industry )s )owever e@pnded over t)e yers due to
its e.ono'i. gins to t)e .rvers nd t)e ntion in generl. *ny )ve t)us ttri9uted t)e growt) nd diversi+ied
nture o+ t)e wood .rving industry to 'odernity nd rpid so.il .)nge .ross t)e glo9e w)i.) )ve 'de it
di++i.ult to >eep t)e indigenous trditions int.t ((du-(gye'% S9utey% L *ens)% 20&<!. /)e .rving industry
re.eived 9oost in t)e &0=0s w)en t)e .ulture o+ ,)n ws e@posed to t)e western world t)roug) interntionl
trde% orgni6tion o+ .ulturl +estivls nd trde nd .ulture +irs (#>r)% 2002!. It is esti'ted t)t ,)n
gined totl o+ -SN 60%000 +ro' t)e sle o+ )ndi.r+ts in &0=0. /)is +igure s)ot up to 9out -SN<%000%000
wort) o+ )ndi.r+ts .onsisting o+ 'ostly wood .rvings in &006 (#9eng et l.% 20&&E #>r)% 2002!. (s o+ 2000%
t)ere were t lest 9out <"00 people engged in wood .rving ntionwide (#9eng et l.% 20&&!. #wing to
in.resed +oreign interest in t)e .ulturl rti+.ts nd t)e evident e.ono'i. potentil o+ t)e industry% t)e
govern'ent o+ ,)n )s over t)e pst two de.des 'de .ons.ious e++orts to +ully e@ploit t)e 9ene+its ..ruing
+ro' t)e industry. /)is )s o+ten 9een in t)e +or' o+ touris' pro'otion .tivities nd strtegies i'ed t
e@posing t)e ri.) .ulture o+ ,)n to t)e rest o+ t)e world. It is not surprising t)t touris' .ontri9uted 9out 7O
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to ,)n5s ,DP in 20&& nd )ve .reted over <00%000 dire.t nd indire.t 7o9s ll over t)e .ountry (*ens)%
20&&E $i9e,)n% 20&2!.
()wi is one o+ t)e 'ost populr pl.es +or trditionl wood .rving in ,)n. /)e town is lo.ted on t)e 'in
Mu'si-*'pong )ig)wy 9out &4 >ilo'eters nort) o+ Mu'si in t)e Mw9re 2st Distri.t in (s)nti region%
,)n. /)e town .onsists o+ over "000 in)9itnts. ?ood .rving re'ins one o+ t)e .o''onest e.ono'i.
.tivities in t)e town lt)oug) t)ere )ve 9een reports o+ de.line in t)e wood .rving .tivity re.ently ((du-
(gye' et l.% 20&<!.
&.2.2 *et)odology
/)e study ws undert>en using ;ulittive 'et)odology. Dt +or t)e study ws gt)ered inter'ittently 9etween
Pnury% 20&0 nd Septe'9er% 20&<. /)e dt ws gt)ered 'inly t)roug) individul interviews using se'i-
stru.tured interview guides nd 2 group interviews. ( totl o+ 4" people prti.ipted in t)e study. Pri'ry
interviews were gt)ered +ro' totl o+ &" .rvers% &0 wood rti+.t s)op ownersBsellers nd &" ordinry
in)9itnts in t)e town. /)e .rvers .onsisted o+ only 'les s t)ere were no +e'le .rvers (see lso (du-
(gye' et l.% 20&<!. /)e opinion o+ t)e wo'en in t)e .o''unity ws t)ere+ore soug)t t)roug) t)e interviews
wit) ordinry in)9itnts w)ere = +e'les were interviewed. ,roup interviews were )eld wit) 2 groups o+
.rvers nd rti+.t sellers wit) e.) one .onsisting o+ 6 'e'9ers.
Mey in+or'nt interviews were )eld wit) t)e distri.t plnning o++i.er nd 2 >ey in+or'nt interviews wit) t)e
sse'9ly 'e'9er o+ t)e .o''unity nd one unit .o''ittee 'e'9er nd t)e trditionl .)ie+ +or t)e .rving
industry (Senehene!. Sele.tion o+ prti.ipnts +or t)e study ws done using purposive nd snow9ll s'pling
te.)ni;ues (see :ry'n% 200=E Mot)ri% 2004!. Purposive s'pling )elped to distinguis) 9etween t)e vrious
.tors nd interests groups in t)e .rving industry. /)e te.)ni;ue lso )elped to sele.t nd .on+ir' t)e pre+erred
.)r.teristi.s o+ identi+ied individuls nd groups s well s in sele.ting pproprite nu'9er o+ prti.ipnts.
Snow9ll te.)ni;ue lso ssisted in sele.ting espe.illy t)e rtisns. /)roug) t)e snow9ll te.)ni;ue% .rvers
identi+ied initilly were s>ed to )elp in identi+ying ot)er .rvers espe.illy t)ose t)t were di++i.ult to lo.te. (s
wy to prote.t t)e pri'ry prti.ipnts% generl n'es nd .orresponding nu'9ers re given to e.) o+ t)e'
depending on t)eir .tegory. /)e rtisns re l9eled s 5.rvers5 plus uni;ue nu'9er. /)e ordinry residents o+
t)e .o''unity re lso l9eled s 5resident5 plus t)e gender o+ t)e person nd uni;ue nu'9er.
&.2.< Citi6enry Prti.iption in t)e ()wi ?ood Cr+t $illge Pro7e.t
/)e de.entrlised plnning nd d'inistrtive syste' re;uires distri.ts nd 'etropolitn res to design
+vor9le poli.ies nd to rise internl +unds t)roug) t@es nd ot)er vi9le +or e++e.tive develop'ent nd
d'inistrtion t t)e lo.l levels (#wusu% 2004!. /)e 9oo' in touris' re.eipts +ro' t)e &0=0s t)ere+ore
pro'pted ll distri.ts wit) vi9le touris' potentil(s! to i'prove t)eir ssets in order to t>e dvntge o+ t)e
'r>et 9oo'. /)e Mw9re 2st distri.t w)i.) ws .rved +ro' Mw9re Se>yere Distri.t in &00= in line wit) t)e
ntionl spirtion )s t)ere+ore t>en 'esures to 9oost t)eir touris' potentil nd re.eipts 9y en.ting
+vor9le poli.es nd 9uilding relevnt in+rstru.turl 9se (M2D% 2006!. /)e distri.t5s potentil touris'
ttr.tions re ll relted to .ulturl vlues nd pr.ti.es in.luding >ente weving (trditionl .lot)!% trditionl
s)rines nd wood .rving. ( Distri.t Culturl Co''ittee wit) su9.o''ittee t ()wi )s t)ere+ore 9een
+or'ed to )elp identi+y nd develop inventi9le .ulturl sites% pr.ti.es nd vlues t)t .ould pro'ote touris' in
t)e distri.t. So'e trining progr''es )ve lso 9een orgni6ed +or .r+ts'en in t)e distri.t on +inn.il nd
9usiness 'nge'ent nd on eti;uettes in tourists5 re.eption. #t)er pro7e.ts lso in.lude .onstru.tion o+ visitors5
.entres t (dnwo'se s well s ws)roo's +or visitors t Ntonso nd ()wi (M2D% 2006!.
8owever% t)e i'ple'enttion o+ one t)ese inititives )ve re'ined pro9le'ti. owing to l.> o+ nd
inde;ute prti.iption on t)e prt o+ 'ny in)9itnts nd >ey st>e)olders. /)is pro7e.t is t)e .onstru.tion o+
.r+t villge +or t)e ()wi wood .rving industry (M2D% 2006!. /)e pro7e.t strted in t)e lte &0=05s s wy
to 9oost t)e .rving industry nd pro'ote touris' in t)e distri.t. It ws lso n tte'pt to .rete e'ploy'ent
venues espe.illy +or t)e yout) 9y in.resing t)eir interest in t)e .rving industry. /)e pro7e.t ws 9ndoned
'idwy +ter severl stoppges nd ws le+t untou.)ed +or over de.de. ?or> )owever resu'ed round 2004
nd l'ost 9roug)t to .o'pletion 9y 200=. /)e +.ility is .urrently )9it9le +or purposes o+ .rving nd even
s)ow.sing nd selling t)e rti+.ts s dis.losed 9y so'e .o''unity leders nd .rvers.

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Figure 1: Pictures of the Ahwiaa wood craft village structure
Source: Fieldwork, October, !1"
8owever% t)e +.ility re'ins unused despite its )9it9ility over t)e yers. Coupled wit) l.> o+ 'intenn.e
nd prote.tion% t)e stru.ture is rpidly wering out s .ould 9e in+erred +ro' t)e p)otos in +igure &. It is reported
t)t so'e o+ t)e yout) ('les! rrely use t)e sp.es round t)e +.ility s pl.es o+ .onvenien.e t nig)t w)ile
ot)ers )ve ere.ted stru.tures +or ws)roo's round it. /)e surroundings o+ t)e 9uilding )ve lso 9e.o'e
litter ground +or so'e individuls nd )ouse)oldsE 9e)vior w)i.) t)e lo.l leders re +ig)ting ve)e'ently to
erdi.te s e.)oed 9y t)e trditionl .)ie+ responsi9le +or t)e .rving industry (Senehene!. #t)er pu9li.
institutions su.) s t)e 2le.tri.ity Co'pny o+ ,)n lso use so'e e@terior portions o+ t)e stru.ture s storge
+or t)eir e;uip'ents. /)e stru.ture is t)ere+ore not used +or ny o+ t)e purposes +or w)i.) it ws put up.
In;uisition into w)y t)e pro7e.t )s re'ined n otiose 'onu'ent reveled diverse 9ut 'u.) relted resons.
Dis.ussions wit) t)e di++erent groups o+ st>e)olders pointed to si'ilr dire.tion3 inde;ute involve'ent o+
t)e dire.t 9ene+i.iries in t)e plnning nd i'ple'enttion o+ t)e pro7e.t. /)e pro7e.t strted s n inititive o+
t)e .entrl govern'ent t)roug) t)e distri.t sse'9ly to 9oost t)e lo.l .r+t industry. /)e .on.eption o+ t)e
pro7e.t t)ere+ore e'nted +ro' t)e politi.l leders. Issues relting to t)e 9uilding pln nd design nd its si6e
s well s t)e +.ilities t)erein were t)ere+ore +orwrded 9y t)e (sse'9ly nd t)eir 5.)osen5 .ontr.tor. Co.l
leders in.luding t)e lo.l distri.t sse'9ly representtives nd trditionl leders in.luding t)e Sene)ene were
.ont.ted +or deli9ertions on issues relting to t)e pro7e.t. /)e lo.l leders were lso 5ts>ed5 wit) t)e
responsi9ility o+ sensiti6ing t)e people wit) regrds to purpose nd relevn.e t)e pro7e.t s ws nrrted 9y t)e
distri.t plnning o++i.er3
#$$$$%e met with the local leaders for discussions on the &ro'ect$$$$(his &ro'ect was started and
brought to a halt$ Our goal was to com&lete it$ %e therefore sought for their &ermission and
assistance to com&lete the &ro'ect )*nterview with +istrict &lanning officer,$
/)e .urrent d'inistrtors o+ t)e distri.t t)ere+ore tte'pted to distn.e t)e'selves +ro' t)e +iled spe.ts o+
t)e pro7e.t in.luding t)e poor prti.iptory 'et)ods used in t)e pro7e.t. 8owever% t)e lo.l leders w)o
witnessed t)e .on.eption nd t)e entire i'ple'enttion pro.esses re.ounted 9itter stories 9out t)eir
involve'ent in t)e vrious stges nd periods o+ i'ple'enttion3
#$$$when the -government- )the district assembl., introduced the &ro'ect to us, the. showed us
&ictures and a &lan of a tourist village in /urkina Faso$ %e )the leaders of the town, liked that
&lan$$$0ver.one liked it$ 1owever, during im&lementation, a different structure was started$ *
was told it was due to change in the construction firm$ (he construction had barel. started so
we argued for initial &lan to be im&lemented which brought the &ro'ect to a halt$$$$$%e wanted
to see the initial &lan from /urkina Faso built )Senehene,
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/)e pro7e.t nd its i'ple'enttion plns were t)ere+ore introdu.ed to t)e .)ie+s nd elders o+ t)e town.
8owever% t)eir .ontri9utions nd .on.erns were not t>en into .onsidertion nor .onsidered in t)e design nd
i'ple'enttion o+ t)e pro7e.t. *oreover% despite t)eir ple o+ inno.en.e% t)e lo.l leders were prtly t +ult in
t)e +ilure o+ t)e pro7e.t. /)ey did not de;utely .rry out t)eir duty o+ disse'inting in+or'tion 9out t)e
pro7e.t to t)e ordinry .iti6ens nd even t)e rtisns s e.)oed 9y t)e distri.t develop'ent o++i.er3
#After some meetings and discussions with local leaders$$$$$we e2&ected them to transmit
information about the &ro'ect to the inhabitants es&eciall. to the artisans and offer us their
feedback# )interview with +istrict Planning Office,r
/)ese stte'ents lso re+le.t t)e ongoing disgree'ent 9etween t)e two groups o+ leders nd to greter e@tent
t)e reson w)y t)e pro7e.t is still unused despite 9eing )9it9le. /)is is lso e@plins t)e ine++i.ien.y in t)e
prti.iptory 'et)od dopted in t)e pro7e.t. /)ere ws .lerly we> +eed9.> 'e.)nis' 9etween t)e pro7e.t
.oordintors nd t)e st>e)olders. So'e o+ t)e older .rvers 'oreover iterted t)t% t)e distri.t leders +o.used
t)eir dis.ussions 'inly wit) t)e trditionl leders insted o+ t)e rtisns even t)oug) t)ey )ve n sso.ition
w)i.) '>es .ont.ting t)e' esier. /)e +inl users o+ t)e pro7e.t were t)ere+ore virtully ignored in t)e
plnning nd i'ple'enttion o+ t)e pro7e.t. /)is is .ontrry to t)e stipultions o+ t)e prti.iption pro.ess
en.ourged under t)e de.entrlised plnning nd d'inistrtion syste' in ,)n. /)e .rvers rgued t)t% t)eir
l.> o+ involve'ent ws lso due to t)e +.t t)t% trditionl leders .ontrol t)e lnd in t)e .o''unity. 8en.e% in
order to get ..ess to lnd nd o++i.il per'it to enter t)e .o''unity% t)e govern'ent o++i.ils .on.entrted
t)eir dis.ussions wit) t)e .o''unity leders3
J...the district -commissioners- onl. held discussions with the chiefs$ For ordinar. carvers like
me, we were not consulted# (Interview wit) Crver "!.
/ypes o+ prti.iption su.) s inter.tive nd sel+-'o9ili6tion (see *i>>elsen% 200"! w)i.) re strongly
en.ourged under t)e de.entrlised plnning syste' were not dopted in t)is pro7e.t w)ere t)ey .ould )ve 9een
very essentil. :ot) t)e leders nd in)9itnts o+ t)e ()wi .o''unity in.luding t)e rtisns were pssive
prti.ipnts (see *i>>elsen% 200"! in t)e pro7e.t. /)e leders espe.illy were in+or'ed o+ t)e i'pending pro7e.t
nd 9out de.isions t)t )d lredy 9een t>en nd i'ple'ented wit)out ny power to neit)er in+luen.e nor
.)nge t)e de.isions. *oreover% wit) t)e wood .r+t industry 9eing .o''unity-wide .tivity% one 'ig)t )ve
e@pe.ted t)t t)e t lest t)e +inl users would 9e involved s n in.entive 9y llowing t)e' to o++er even t)eir
l9our. /)is would )ve 9roug)t t)e' .loser to t)e pro7e.t nd eventully '>ing t)e' ssu'e owners)ip o+ t)e
pro7e.t on.e it ws .o'pleted. /)e pssive prti.iption 'et)od dopted 9y t)e leders t)ere+ore resulted in n
unsu..ess+ul pro7e.t. (ll t)e rtisns nd even .o''unity leders )ve de.lined to use t)e +.ility owing to
vried resons.
/o 9egin wit)% so'e residents did not even )ve +ir >nowledge on t)e reson +or t)e stru.ture s it )d 9een
t)ere +or long period wit)out ny +un.tion. #ne prti.ipnt ws ;uoted s sying3 #$$$* heard a &lace have been
built for carvers in this town but * don-t know if it has been com&leted$$$# (Kesident <% +e'le!. /)is ws
stte'ent +ro' so'eone w)o lived 7ust 9out &00 'eters +ro' t)e wood .r+t villge. It ws even 'ore
stonis)ing w)en so'e o+ t)e .o'prtively older rtisns ppered .lueless 9out t)e stru.ture nd t)ere+ore
needed detiled des.ription in order to re.ogni6e t)e +.ility in .ontention nd its intended purpose. /)ese
reveltions give generl ide on )ow poor t)e ordinry people nd even t)e rtisns o+ t)e industry were
involved in t)e vrious stges nd periods o+ t)e pro7e.t.
/)e +.ility lso re'in unused prtly 9e.use% l'ost ll t)e di++erent groups o+ prti.ipnts iterted t)eir +er
o+ t)e rise o+ 'isunderstnding nd .on+li.ts 'ong .rvers% rti+.t trders nd even 9etween )ouse)olds in t)e
event o+ distri9utingBs)ring t)e +.ility 'ong t)e rtisns nd trders. /)is is 9e.use t)e +.ility does not )ve
enoug) roo' +or ll3 #$$$$there are a lot of carvers and articraft sellers in this communit.$ (he tourism village
cannot accommodate ever.one$$$$$* do not think it will be &ossible to share among all the actors without an.
&roblems# (Crver <!. /)is ssertion is true s l'ost every indigenous )ouse)oldB+'ily in t)e .o''unity
)ve t lest 'e'9er in t)e .rving industry ((du-(gye' et l.% 20&<!. *oreover% t)e e@pnsion o+ t)e
industry over t)e yers due to its e.ono'i. gins lso ttr.ted people +ro' di++erent prts o+ ,)n into t)e
.o''unity. /)e ()wi .rving industry 7ust s ot)er .r+t 9sed touris' sites in t)e Mw9re 2st distri.t
t)ere+ore .urrently .onsist o+ people wit) diverse et)ni. 9.>grounds. /)e et)ni. .o'position o+ t)e +inl users
t)ere+ore +urt)er .o'pli.tes t)e sitution. /)e +er o+ .using +euds 'ong t)e dire.t 9ene+i.iries su.) s t)e
rtisns nd t)e .r+t trders s well s 'ong )ouse)olds nd even et)ni. groups )s deterred t)e lo.l leders
+ro' t>ing inititives to '>e use o+ t)e +.ility. ,oing 9y t)is sitution% one .ould wit) ese ppre.ite t)e +.t
t)t% +ewer .onsulttions were )eld wit) t)e st>e)olders o+ t)e pro7e.t. /)e so.il% e.ono'i.% .ulturl nd
de'ogrp)i. diversity o+ t)e .o''unity were t)us overloo>ed 9y t)e plnners. /)e pro7e.t .o''en.ed nd
evolved over t)e yers wit)out n ..urte .ount o+ t)e dire.t plyers in t)e .rving industry.
*oreover% one stri>ing rgu'ent put +ort) 9y t)e rtisns nd trders ws wit) t)e lo.tion o+ t)e pro7e.t.
(..ording to t)e' nd s evidently e@pressed in t)e .o''unity% t)e .rving .tivities in t)e town re 'ostly
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lo.ted long t)e 'in rod. /)e '7or rod in t)e .o''unity is +ln>ed 9y nu'erous .rving s)eds nd stores.
/)e lo.tion o+ t)e .tivity )s t)ere+ore 9e.o'e +9ri. o+ t)e .o''unity5s lyout nd identity. #ne o+ t)e
.rvers e@plined t)is s3
#$$$our aim is to showcase our work$ 0ver.one is located along the street in order to attract
customers and &otential tourists who might 'ust be &assing through the communit.$$$$even
those that carve in their homes have sho&s along the road to showcase their &roducts )carver
11,$
/)e tourist villge is interiorly lo.ted t 9out )l+ >ilo'eter +ro' t)e 'in rod. *oving t)e .tivities to t)e
.r+t villge 'ent not only losing .usto'ersBpotentil tourists 9ut lso .)nging t)e trditionl +9ri. o+ t)e
.o''unity. (s 'tter o+ +.t% t)e 'in rod in t)e ()wi .o''unity leds to ot)er tourist .o''unities nd
lso t)e .pitl o+ t)e distri.t% *'ponten. It is t)ere+ore .o''on +or t)e rtisns to ttr.t .usto'ers +ro'
trvelers t)roug) t)e .o''unity w)o 'ig)t 9e visiting ot)er tourist .enters or to t)e Distri.t (sse'9ly. *ny o+
t)e rtisns nd trders t)ere+ore did not wnt to 'ove wy +ro' t)eir trditionl lo.tion. /)e .urrent plnning
o++i.er o+ t)e Distri.t )owever rgued t)t J.... %e did not need to change the location and design of the &ro'ect
as it would have meant starting a new &ro'ect altogether#$ *oreover% t)e .o''unity leders rgued t)t% t)e
.urrent lo.tion ws t)e .losest vil9le nd uno..upied lnd to t)e street. 8owever% .onverstions wit) ot)er
elderly .iti6ens reveled ot)erwise. #ne resident stted that #$$$$the &ro'ect started long ago$$$$* do not think the.
could not have found a &lace along the streets$$$some individual have even managed to secure lands along the
streets for their &ro'ects recentl.$$$# (Kesident 2% 'le!. It .ould t)ere+ore 9e rgued t)t% 'ore suit9le lo.tion
.ould )ve 9een +ound i+ t)e e++orts were intensi+ied. /)is ssertion is lso eviden.ed 9y nu'9er o+ new nd
si6e9le stru.tures long t)e 'in rod in ()wi.
*oreover% s )ve 9een )inted erlier% 9ot) t)e .rvers nd t)e .o''unity leders were not )ppy wit) t)e
design o+ t)e stru.ture. /)e .rvers nd trders 'ostly )eld t)e view t)t t)e nture o+ t)e stru.ture .on.els
t)eir wor> wit) regrds to t)e '>ing o+ t)e .r+ts nd even in s)ow.sing t)eir +inis)ed produ.ts. /)ey ll
see'ed to pre+er s)eds w)i.) '>e t)eir .tivities nd produ.ts visi9le to everyone. /)is is t)e 'ore reson w)y
t)e leders got disinterested in t)e pro7e.t w)en t)eir pre+erred design ws 9ndoned. So'e o+ t)e rtisns
t)ere+ore re+erred to t)e stru.ture s -com&ound house
1
, des.ription w)i.) depi.ts t)eir disdin +or t)e design
o+ t)e stru.ture. *ny o+ t)e' t)ere+ore sw t)e stru.ture +or t)e touris' villge s 5)o'e5 insted o+ wor>
pl.e. /)ese opinions ttest to t)e +.t t)t% t)e input o+ t)e dire.t 9ene+i.iries were not neit)er soug)t nor
in.orported into t)e pro7e.t. *oreover% e'piri.l studies +ro' diverse .onte@ts )ve proven t)t spe.ts o+
pro7e.t su.) s design% .onstru.tion nd lo.tion re 9etter w)en +inl users espe.illy re llowed to
inter.tively prti.ipte during t)e pro7e.t .on.eption nd i'ple'enttion. 8owever% pro99le in)i9iting +.tors
su.) s low edu.tionl level% l.> o+ relevnt te.)ni.l s>ills 'ong pri'ry st>e)olders% )ig) ine;ulity level
'ong in)9itnts 'y render prti.iption less use+ul to so'e .o''unitiesBpro7e.ts (*nsuri% 20&2!
/)e we> prti.iptory 'et)ods e'ployed 9y t)e pro7e.t .oordintors )ve rendered t)e pro7e.t inutile +or n
ppre.i9le ti'e now. *oreover% t)e sitution nd ttitude o+ t)e people s o9served in t)e pst < yers did not
depi.t ny sign o+ +vor9le .onditions wit) regrds to t)e use o+ t)e +.ility in t)e ner +uture. It is t)ere+ore
e@pe.ted t)t t)e stru.ture will .ontinue to deteriorte.

$%, Conclusion
/)e prti.iption dis.ourse )s )d its +ir s)re o+ .riti.is's nd i'ple'enttion .onstrins. /)e .on.ept s )s
9een rgued 9y 'ny s.)olrs is not pn.e to ll develop'ent pro9le's. Aor instn.e% n e'piri.l review o+
t)e prti.iptory rurl pprisl ppro.) (PK(! w)i.) is used 9y 'ny interntionl develop'ent orgni6tions
in t)e ,'9i )d ground 9re>ing result. Aour .riteri in.luding3 5utilitrin .onsidertions5% 5.o''unity
'o9ili6tion5% 5'otivtionl 9ene+its5 nd 5e'powering t)e poor5 were used to evlute nu'9er o+ develop'ent
pro7e.ts (:rown% 8owes% 8ussein% Ct)erine% L Swindell% 2002!. /)e reser.)ers .on.luded t)t t)e
prti.iptory 'et)od )d we> i'p.t on t)e pro7e.t. In generl% t)e detiled review o+ t)e prti.iptory
ppro.) rt)er to very lrge e@tent .on+ir'ed 'ny o+ t)e .riti.is's leveled ginst t)e prti.iption inititive
(*i>>elsen% 200"!. 8owever% t)is is not to rgue t)t prti.iption nd its relted ppro.)es re not relevnt in
t)e develop'ent pro.ess 9ut to rgue +or t)oroug) ppli.tion o+ relevnt prti.iptory ppro.)es in ny
develop'ent pro7e.t. /)e .se study presented in t)is pper s)ould serve s 'otivtion +or 'ore ttention nd
s.rutiny into '>ing t)e prti.iption inititive 'ore e++e.tive nd 9ene+i.il to t)e develop'ent pro.esses nd
pro7e.ts.

1
*t is the most &revalent housing form in Ghana which has traditionall. accommodated the low income
&o&ulation$ *t often has rooms o&ening to a central court.ard$ *t is basicall. a court.ard house ((rsln% 20&&!


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/)e '7or i' o+ t)e prti.iption inititive under t)e de.entrlised governn.e syste' is to ensure deepened
st>e)older prti.iption s well s in redu.ing t)e de+i.its in t)e pro.ess (,reig et l.% 2007!. /)e .se o+ t)e
.rving villge t ()wi )owever depi.ts t)t 'ore need to 9e done in order to '>e t)e inititive vlu9le to
t)e develop'ent nd de.entrlistion pro.ess. Citi6enry prti.iption in lo.l govern'ent su.) s i'proving
..ess to in+or'tion nd +ostering 'e.)nis's +or deli9ertive de.ision '>ing lg 9e)ind in 'ny ,)nin
settings (Crw+ord% 2004!. (lt)oug) populr prti.iption in develop'ent pro7e.ts )ve in.resed over t)e yers
in ,)n% t)e pr.ti.l spe.t o+ t)e .on.ept re'in vgue in so'e instn.es ((rt)ur% 2000!. It is rgued t)t%
.ontrry to t)e +.t t)t distri.t sse'9lies re t)e prin.ipl ut)ority o+ develop'ent t t)e lo.l level% t)e
sse'9lies in generl .t s 'ere .onduits +or develop'ent gend o+ t)e .entrl govern'ent. In so'e instn.es
7ust s in t)e .se o+ t)e ()wi wood .r+t villge% develop'ent pro7e.ts nd ts>s re delegted to distri.t
sse'9lies nd lo.l ut)orities 9y respe.tive .entrl govern'ent 'inistries nd institutions (Crw+ord% 2004!.
/)e tenets o+ t)e de.entrlised plnning nd d'inistrtion poli.y in ,)n s)ould t)ere+ore 9e i'ple'ented to
t)e ltter. Distri.t sse'9lies s)ould 9e llowed to )ve greter .ontrol in t)eir res o+ 7urisdi.tion in ter's o+
develop'ent plnning nd i'ple'enttion s stipulted in t)e poli.y +r'ewor>. Develop'ent inititives s)ould
t)ere+ore not 9e delegted to t)e' 9y t)e respe.tive govern'ent 'inistries nd institutions 9ut s)ould e'nte
+ro' t)e ordinry .iti6ens toget)er wit) t)eir leders (Crw+ord% 2004!. /)is ppel 'oreover% re;uires t)e
.o''it'ent o+ relevnt govern'ent 'inistries su.) s t)e *inistry o+ Co.l ,overn'ent nd Kurl
Develop'ent to en+or.e nd strengt)en t)e vil9le 9ut dor'nt rules nd lws governing de.entrlistion nd
.onse;uently t)e prti.iption inititive.
It is lso re.o''ended t)t t)oroug) st>e)older nlysis nd .onsulttion 9e undert>en 9e+ore t)e initition or
.o''en.e'ent o+ develop'ent pro7e.ts. /)e '7ority o+ individuls% so.il groups nd relevnt institutions w)o
'y 9e ++e.ted or re in position to in+luen.e pro7e.ts nd its out.o'e s)ould 9e involved s 'u.) s possi9le
t ll stges o+ t)e pro7e.t .y.le. /)is will ensure t)e in.lusion o+ views +ro' rnge o+ st>e)olders in t)e
develop'ent nd review o+ develop'ent pro7e.ts. /)is pro.ess i+ well undert>en will )elp to resolve .o'ple@
issues% gin .onsensus nd support +ro' st>e)olders nd redu.e i'ple'enttion nd post i'ple'enttion
pro9le's su.) s t)e one identi+ied t ()wi nd 'ny ot)er pl.es (see (D:% 20&2% p. 2"!. Cons.ious e++orts
s)ould t)us 9e 'de to '@i'i6e prti.iption o+ st>e)olders in t)e design% 'onitoring nd evlution o+
develop'ent pro7e.ts nd pro.esses. *ny )ve rgued nd it )s 9een proven true in 'ny .onte@ts t)t%
involve'ent o+ st>e)oldersB+inl users tend to strengt)en pro7e.t design% '>e st>e)olders ssu'e owners)ip
o+ t)e pro7e.t% i'prove post i'ple'enttion governn.e nd ulti'tely pro'otes sustin9ility o+ t)e pro7e.t
((D:% 20&2E *nsuri L Ko% 20&<!. Involve'ent o+ people in spe.i+i. develop'ent pro7e.ts s)ould 9e seen s
'ore t)n 7ust re;uisite +or su..ess+ul pro7e.ts 9ut lso s n venue to i'prove nd strengt)en de'o.rti.
de.entrli6tion nd in ensuring so.il .o)esion nd pro'oting +un.tionl nd stronger institutions ((D:% 20&2!.
*oreover% t)e .se study presented )ere lso de'onstrtes t)t% prti.iption .n ensure e++i.ient nd e++e.tive
use o+ li'ited resour.es. /)e in.tive stte o+ t)e wood .r+t villge i'plies t)t t)e 'onetry resour.es% t)e
ti'e nd e++orts put into inititing nd i'ple'enting t)e pro7e.t )ve virtully gone into wste. In developing
.ountry li>e ,)n% su.) 'is'nge'ent o+ resour.es t ny level .nnot 9e tolerted. #pti'u' ttention
s)ould t)ere+ore 9e dedi.ted to ddressing t)e grve de+i.its in t)e prti.iption inititive s prt o+ e++orts to
ensure e++i.ient resour.e 'o9ili6tion nd utili6tion.
(dditionlly% s )ve 9een d'itted in 'ny relevnt pu9li. poli.ies% t)e de.entrlised plnning syste' in
,)n nd 'ny ot)er developing ntions l.> de;ute s>illed personnel to stis+.torily i'ple'ent t)e
progr''e in ll .onte@ts ((D:% 20&2!. *oreover% 'ny o+ t)ese su9-ntionl govern'ents re ill e;uipped to
'eet ll t)e re;uisites o+ t)e 9otto' up pro.ess in t)e develop'ent plnning nd d'inistrtion syste'. /o t)is
end% it is suggested t)t% t)e govern'ent nd its relevnt ntionl institutions s)ould strengt)en t)eir .o''it'ent
to i'proving populr prti.iption in develop'ent pro.ess. Continul trining nd .ourses s)ould 9e given to
personnel t t)e vrious *etropolitn% *uni.ipl nd Distri.t (sse'9lies. *oreover% e@tensive 'onitoring nd
evlution s)ould 9e .ondu.ted espe.illy on issues relting to prti.iption t ll stges in develop'ent pro7e.ts.
Current 'onitoring nd evlution +r'ewor>s s)ould t)ere+ore 9e revised to in.lude e++e.tive .onditions nd
stndrds +or 'onitoring .iti6enry prti.iption in develop'ent pro7e.ts.
/)is pper t)ere+ore posits t)t% notwit)stnding t)e .riti.is's nd i'ple'enttion .)llenges leveled ginst
t)e prti.iption inititive% t)e .on.ept re'in very pertinent to develop'ent pro.ess espe.illy in t)e initition
o+ poli.ies% progr''es nd pro7e.ts w)i.) )ve dire.t i'p.t on t)e liveli)oods o+ people. 2++orts s)ould
t)ere+ore 9e 'de to t.t+ully engge t)e .on.ept in t)e develop'ent pro7e.ts nd de.isions wit) .ogni6n.e to
t)e )istory% t)e so.il% e.ono'i.% de'ogrp)i. nd .ulturl sitution s well s t)e geogrp)i.l nd politi.l
environ'ent o+ respe.tive .onte@ts (*nsuri L Ko% 20&<!. *oreover% regrdless o+ t)e +.t t)t 'ny ordinry
.iti6ens 'y not 9e 9le to de;utely .ontri9ute to t)e te.)ni.l spe.ts o+ so'e develop'ent pro.esses% t)is
pper .ontests t)t 5...develop'ent is 'ore t)n te.)ni.l undert>ing t)t .n 9e )ndled 9y e@perts. It is
.o'ple@ nd o+ten .ontentious pro.ess t)t wor>s 9etter w)en .iti6ens or +inl users prti.ipte in de.isions t)t
Developing Country Studies www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-607X (Pper! ISSN 222"-0"6" (#nline!
$ol.4% No.&% 20&4

64
s)pe t)eir lives nd llows t)e' to 'onitor t)e people w)ose ts> it is to govern t)eir destinies5 (*nsuri L
Ko% 20&<% p. 2=<!.

Ac(nowledgement
I would li>e to e@press 'y sin.ere grtitude to t)e .)ie+ nd leders o+ ()wi .o''unity s well s t)e .rvers
nd trders w)o too> ti'e out o+ t)eir 9usy s.)edules to grnt 'e nd 'y te' interviews. I would lso li>e to
t)n> t)e Distri.t Plnning #++i.er o+ Mw9re 2st Distri.t% *r. Dniel Ao+ie +or )is .oopertion nd insig)t+ul
.ontri9ution.

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