THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE: A CASE STUDY OF UNITED CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATION OF NZEMA EAST DISTRICT

ABSTRACT

In Ghana, civil societies have played important role in national

development in an unco-ordinated manner. The aim of this study was to examine

the contribution of United Civil Society Organisation of Nzema East District

(UCSOND) to local governance in Nzemaland. The research assessed the

activities of UCSOND at the grassroots, for example how its capacity enables it to

play its role. The challenges facing the union were also examined.

Case study approach was used to assess UCSOND’s contribution to local

governance. The principal method used in the analyses of the data was

interpretive inquiry. Tables and pictures were used to summarise UCSOND’s

activities at the grassroots, its capacity and ability to play its role. Most

importantly, the challenges confronting the union were identified and ranked

using Kendall’s co-efficient of concordance.

The findings were that UCSOND has been instrumental in stimulating

popular participation in local governance through civic events. Secondly, it has

aggregated citizens voice and influenced policies and programmes. The study also

reveals that UCSOND has a low organisational resource base. The conclusions

are that the low resource base of UCSOND has impaired its ability to play the

ascribed roles effectively. Furthermore, the weak institutional capacity has led to

resignation and dwindling of membership. The recommendation is that UCSOND

must strengthen its effort for support or resources aimed at institutional capacity

development, engage in income generating ventures and collaborate with other

civil organisations to gain insight into emerging governance issues.