Developing Country Studies ISSN 2224-607X (P per! ISSN 222"-0"6" (#nline! $ol.4% No.

&% 20&4

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Participation in Development Practice: A Poisonous Gift or Magic Bullet? A Case from Ahwiaa Wood Carving Industr ! Ghana
P d'ore (dusei ('o ) (*P)il. in Develop'ent Studies! Dep rt'ent o+ ,eogr p)y% Norwegi n -niversity o+ S.ien.e nd /e.)nology% N#-740& /rond)ei'% Norw y 12' il3 p d'ore 'o )4y )oo..o' A"stract ,) n 5s de.entr lised pl nning nd d'inistr tive syste' en.our ges t)e involve'ent o+ .o''unities nd ordin ry .iti6ens in t)e pl nning nd i'ple'ent tion o+ develop'ent pro7e.ts w)i.) ++e.t t)e'. 8owever% in line wit) so'e o+ t)e .riti.is's leveled g inst p rti.ip tion% t)e pr .ti. l spe.t o+ t)e syste' ) s 9een .o'pro'ised in ' ny situ tions. : sed on . se study o+ wood .r +t vill ge pro7e.t t ()wi % touris' destin tion in t)e (s) nti region in ,) n % t)is p per ttests t) t% despite t)e pp rent .) llenges nd .riti.is's on t)e vi 9ility nd use+ulness o+ p rti.ip tion% t)e .on.ept is very pertinent to develop'ent pr .ti.e. -sing ;u lit tive 'et)odology% d t w s g t)ered +ro' 9out 4" in+or' nts inter'ittently wit)in period o+ < ye rs. (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 v rious st >e)olders reve led t) t% t)e .urrent st te o+ t)e pro7e.t is pri' rily due to t)e poor p rti.ip tory 'et)ods dopted in t)e pl nning nd i'ple'ent tion o+ t)e pro7e.t. /)e intended +in l users nd lo. l le ders re t)ere+ore )esit nt to use t)e + .ility due to nti.ip ted .on+li.ts in distri9uting t)e + .ility 'ong t)e rtis ns nd tr ders in t)e . rving industry. It is t)ere+ore suggested t) t% p rti.ip tion s)ould pr .ti. lly re' in .ore prin.iple in develop'ent initi tives. 8owever% it s)ould 9e oper tion lly de+ined nd .riti. lly ssessed in order to 'ini'i6e its dverse in+luen.e on develop'ent pro.esses nd pro7e.ts. #e words: Develop'ent% De.entr lis tion% P rti.ip tion% ?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.essit ted 9y di++ering .onte@ts nd .ontents o+ develop'ent pro9le's. Aollowing t)e roll9 .> o+ t)e st te% t)e dv n.e'ent o+ ' r>et +or.es nd 9re >down o+ regul tions% t)e ltern tive develop'ent p r dig' too> .enter st ge o+ develop'ent pr .ti.es. /)is p r dig' ) s .on.erned itsel+ wit) develop'ent +ro' 9elow. /)us develop'ent dire.ted t lo. lly de+ined needs nd go ls. Con.epts su.) s e'power'ent% p rti.ip tion nd people-.entered develop'ent ) ve t)ere+ore 9een so'e o+ t)e +rontline 'et)odsB ppro .)es tow rds tt ining desired develop'ent go ls re.ently. /)ese .on.epts lso represent so'e o+ t)e >ey initi tives in t)e i'ple'ent tion o+ de.entr lised govern n.e syste' nd ulti' tely in re .)ing t)e go l o+ .onsolid ted de'o.r .y w)i.) ' ny developing n tions re spiring (Pieterse% 20&0!. /)is p per +o.uses on t)e p rti.ip tion initi tive. Ci>e ' ny ot)er de'o.r ti. st tes% ,) n pr .ti.es t)e de.entr lis tion syste'. ,) n Ds .urrent progr ''e o+ de.entr lis tion w s initi ted in t)e l te &0=0s. In &0==% t)e Provision l N tion l De+en.e Coun.il (PNDC! govern'ent introdu.ed ' 7or pie.e o+ legisl tive re+or'E t)e Local Government Law (PNDC C w 207! (Cr w+ord% 2004E #wusu% 2004!. /)is l w soug)t Fto pro'ote popul r p rti.ip tion nd owners)ip o+ t)e ' .)inery o+ govern'ent 9y devolving power% .o'peten.e nd resour.eB'e ns to t)e distri.t levelG (* p Consult Ctd% 2002% p. <"!. *oreover% .) pter 20 H rti.le 240 (20!I o+ t)e .onstitution o+ ,) n e'p) si6es t)e prin.iples o+ p rti.ip tion in t)e de.entr lised syste' 9y st ting t) t3 J to ensure t)e ..ount 9ility o+ lo. l govern'ent ut)orities% people in p rti.ul r lo. l govern'ent re s s) ll% s + r s pr .ti. 9le% 9e ++orded t)e opportunity to p rti.ip te e++e.tively in t)eir govern n.eG (Cr w+ord% 2004% p. 0!. Popul r p rti.ip tion in develop'ent pro.ess is t)ere+ore t)eoreti. lly t t)e .ore o+ t)e de.entr lised pl nning nd d'inistr tive syste' in ,) n . -nder t)e syste'% t)e develop'ent pro.ess st rts +ro' .o''unity levels w)ere develop'ent pro9le'sBneeds re identi+ied t)roug) t)e e++orts o+ ordin ry .iti6ens led 9y t)eir lo. l represent tives. /)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.ert in t)e distri.t develop'ent pro9le'sBneeds. /)e ) r'onised distri.t develop'ent pro9le'sBneeds re t)en +orw rded to t)e region l .oordin ting .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.tor l pl ns +ro' govern'ent 'inistries nd gen.ies s n tion l develop'ent pl n 9y t)e N tion l Develop'ent Pl nning Co''ission (NDPC!. I'ple'ent tion o+ develop'ent pl ns re lso undert >en toget)er wit) .o''unity 'e'9ers ((yee% 2000E #wusu% 2004!. Currently% ,) n 5s de.entr li6ed pl nning nd d'inistr tive syste' .onsist o+ &0 d'inistr tive regions (Kegion l .o-.oordin ting .oun.ils!E 6 *etropolit n (re s% 40 *uni.ip l (re s nd &6& Distri.t (sse'9lies (,) n distri.ts..o'% 20&<!. /)ere re lso t)e townB re .oun.ils nd unit .o''ittees w)ere t)e develop'ent initi tives nd pro.esses 9egin "6

Developing Country Studies ISSN 2224-607X (P per! ISSN 222"-0"6" (#nline! $ol.4% No.&% 20&4

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(#wusu% 2004!. /)ese stru.tures .oupled wit) t)e respe.tive n tion l 9odies re 'e nt to ensure t) t ordin ry people ) ve s y in t)e develop'ent pl nning pro.ess. 8owever% s (yee (2000! points out% t)ere is no .le r distin.tion on t)e >ind o+ de.entr lis tion t) t s)ould 9e pr .ti.ed lt)oug) t)e entire pro.esses nd stru.ture le ns tow rds devolution nd de'o.r ti. de.entr lis tion. Si'il rly% t)e type o+ p rti.ip tion (see *i>>elsen% 200"! pplied in v rious develop'ent pro.esses ) ve lso re' ined '9iguous in ' ny .onte@ts. /)is ) s led to nu'erous 'isinterpret tions nd 'is.on.eptions tow rds t)e .on.ept. Aor inst n.e% despite t)e v rious stru.tures nd poli.ies% t)e re lity wit) respe.t to t)e i'ple'ent tion o+ t)e de.entr lis tion prin.iples nd p rti.ul rly t)e p rti.ip tion initi tive ) s ) d i''ense de+i.its in ' ny .onte@ts in ,) n . Con.erns ) ve gener lly 9een r ised .on.erning t)e re l .ontri9ution o+ p rti.ip tion in develop'ent pr .ti.e. /)ere is no re l .onsensus on t)e .ontri9ution o+ p rti.ip tion in i'proving t)e lives o+ espe.i lly t)e poor nd dis dv nt ged groups. ?)ile so'e develop'ent pr .titioners nd . de'i.i ns posit t) t t)e .on.ept is v lueless in develop'ent pr .ti.e% ot)ers ) il it s t)e 5' gi. 9ullet5 in develop'ent espe.i lly in poverty llevi tion. /)e pro.ess o+ pro'oting p rti.ip tion in develop'ent pro7e.ts ) ve t)ere+ore 9een driven 'ostly 9y ideology nd opti'is' s opposed to syste' ti. n lysis 9 sed on e'piri. l rese r.) (* nsuri L K o% 20&<E Pieterse% 20&0!. /)is p per e'p) si6es t)e pertinen.e o+ p rti.ip tion s well s en) n.es underst nding 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 p rti.ip tory 'et)ods in develop'ent pro7e.ts. It is 9 sed on issues rel ting to t)e .on.eption% design% i'ple'ent tion nd post i'ple'ent tion st tus o+ wood .r +t vill ge pro7e.t t ()wi in t)e Mw 9re 2 st Distri.t in ,) n . /)e p per grees wit) t)e position o+ *i>>elsen (200"! t) t inste d o+ entirely dis'issing t)e v lidity nd use+ulness o+ t)e .on.ept% it will 9e 'ore 9ene+i.i l to oper tion lly de+ine t)e 'e ning o+ t)e .on.ept nd to spell out t)e .) llenges in indu.ing p rti.ip tion in respe.tive develop'ent pro7e.ts nd pro.esses. $%$ Citi'enr Participation in Development Process: Brief Bac(ground and Criti)ue P rti.ip tion w s dopted s re .tion tow rds t)e )ig)ly .entr li6ed develop'ent syste' pro.l i'ed 9y e rlier develop'ent t)eories nd pr .ti.es. (.tivists nd non-govern'ent l institutions dee'ed t)e .entr li6ed develop'ent syste' s 9eing dis.onne.ted +ro' t)e needs o+ espe.i lly t)e poor nd ' rgin li6ed in so.ieties w)i.) ' de t)eir poli.ies less e++e.tive (* nsuri L K o% 20&<!. P rti.ip tion ste''ed +ro' t)e 9elie+ t) t t)e poor nd t)e ' rgin li6ed will 9ene+it 'ore +ro' develop'ent initi tives i+ t)ey re involved in t)e relev nt spe.ts o+ pl nning nd i'ple'ent tion 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 ordin ry .iti6ens involved in t)e pl nning nd i'ple'ent tion o+ t)eir own develop'ent pro7e.ts is not new in develop'ent dis.ourse nd pr .ti.e. Aor inst n.e% in t)e &040s% t)ere w s pro7e.t in -tt r Pr des) Indi w)i.) w s J9 sed on 'o9ili6 tion o+ vill gers 9y 'ulti-purpose vill ge-level wor>er to in.re se gri.ultur l output nd i'prove rur l in+r stru.ture% l rgely t)roug) sel+-)elp e++ortsJ (,reig et l.% 2007% p. 2<4!. /)is pro7e.t is s id to ) ve in+luen.ed l ter ppro .)es nd institutions su.) s .o''unity develop'ent (.o''unity-driven develop'ent! nd .ooper tives s well s de.entr li6 tion t t)e twilig)t o+ .oloni lis' (,reig et l.% 2007E * nsuri L K o% 20&<E Pieterse% 20&0!. (lt)oug) p rti.ip tory rese r.) nd pr .ti.e . nnot 9e tr .ed to singul r sour.e% it is rgued t) t% dvo. .y +or 'ore nd e++e.tive p rti.ip tion in develop'ent pro7e.ts strongly 9eg n +ro' t)e &070s (C(K2% &000!. Sever l de9 tes ) ve lso risen on t)e 'e ning o+ t)e .on.ept. /)e result ) ve 9een 'ultiple positions nd de+initions w)i.) ) ve rendered t)e 'e ning o+ t)e .on.ept 9lurred in ' ny situ tions (*i>>elsen% 200"!. Notwit)st nding% t)e ?orld : n> de+ines p rti.ip tion s Jpro.ess t)roug) w)i.) st >e)olders in+luen.e nd s) re .ontrol over develop'ent initi tives nd t)e de.isions nd resour.es w)i.) ++e.t t)e'J (,reig et l.% 2007% p. 2<6!. P rti.ip tory develop'ent t)ere+ore i's t putting t)e ordin ry people t t)e )el' o+ develop'ent ++ irs 9y involving t)e' in t)e initi tion nd ' n ge'ent o+ develop'ent pro7e.ts nd pro.esses (*i>>elsen% 200"!. *oreover% despite t)e 9lurriness in t)e 'e ning% 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.i lly in developing .ountries% t)e ppli. tion o+ t)e .on.ept is re;uire'ent in pro7e.t design nd i'ple'ent tion. /)e ?orld : n> (espe.i lly t)roug) its poverty redu.tion str tegies p pers! nd ' ny ot)er donor gen.ies +or inst n.e ) ve in.orpor ted t)e .on.ept into t)eir pro7e.ts (:rown% 2004!. P rti.ip tory develop'ent is t)us proposed s 'et)od +or s) rpening poverty t rgeting% i'proving servi.e delivery% e@p nding liveli)ood opportunities% nd strengt)ening de' nd +or good govern n.e (* nsuri L K o% 20&<% p. &!. /)e vit lity o+ p rti.ip tory 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 p rti.ip tion espe.i lly in developing .ountries re.ently (,reig et l.% 2007!. It is esti' ted t) t% over t)e p st de. de% t)e ?orld : n> ) s llo. ted s 'u.) s -SN=" 9illion to lo. l p rti.ip tory develop'ent. /)ere is t)ere+ore t)e possi9ility t) t 9il ter l donors nd intern tion l develop'ent 9 n>s .ross t)e glo9e ) ve lso spent s 'u.) or even 'ore t) n t)e ?orld : n> (* nsuri L K o% 20&<!. Keg rdless o+ t)e i'port n.e nd ttention given to t)e .on.ept over ye rs% nu'9er o+ .riti.is's ) ve 9een leveled g inst it.

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Developing Country Studies ISSN 2224-607X (P per! ISSN 222"-0"6" (#nline! $ol.4% No.&% 20&4

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Contr ry to rgu'ents t) t t)e p rti.ip tion initi tive is set to e'power t)e ordin ry people 9y involving t)e' in develop'ent pl nning nd i'ple'ent tion% p rti.ip tion ) 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 'e ning 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+ p rti.ip tion (see *i>>elsen% 200"% p. "0!. 8en.e ppli. tion o+ ny o+ t)e types o+ p rti.ip tion irrespe.tive o+ its i'p .t on t)e pro7e.t t ) nd (+or inst n.e% p ssive p rti.ip tion inste d o+ lo. l initi tives! ' y 9e .onstrued s p rti.ip tion lt)oug) t)e ordin ry .iti6ens ' y ) ve not ) d ny in+luen.e on t)e pro7e.t nor de.isions t >en ((g rw l% 200&E ,reig et l.% 2007E *i>>elsen% 200"!. Aro' 'ore r di. l perspe.tive% it is rgued t) t p rti.ip tion is not 'issing lin> in develop'ent dis.ourse nd pr .ti.e s ) ve 9een +orw rded 9y so'e o+ proponents o+ t)e .on.ept. In t)e lig)t o+ t)is% ot)ers ) ve l 9eled t)e .on.ept s 5t)e poisonous gi+t5 or 5tro7 n )orse5 nd 5'yt) (,reig et l.% 2007% p. 2<=!5. /)us% in t)e words o+ K )ne' (&002% p. &67!% Jp rti.ip tion is politi. l pr .ti.e w)i.) ) s 9een ' de politi. lly p l t 9le to t)e ruling .l sses nd its institutionsJ. P rti.ip tion in t)is sense is dee'ed s destru.tion to st 9le .ultures 9y o+ten negle.ting power di++erenti ls wit)in pro7e.t .o''unities (*i>>elsen% 200"!. /)e poor re t)us ' nipul ted t)roug) delusion l power .eding 'e.) nis's. *oreover% ot)ers lso see p rti.ip tion s 'e ns +or e@tern l e@perts to t >e-over +ro' lo. ls t)roug) t)e ppli. tion o+ +oreign ide s nd prin.iples. /)is t)ere+ore represents 'odern pro.ess o+ .oloni6 tion o+ t)e lives o+ re'ote dwellers t)roug) .ons.ienti6 tion. /)ese .riti.s t)ere+ore give pre+eren.e to utono'ous .o''unity 9uilding nd t .t+ul eng ge'ent in 'odern te.)nology nd ppro .)es (,reig et l.% 2007E *i>>elsen% 200"!. *oreover% t)ere is lso t)e +e r o+ e@.luding so'e so.i l groups nd individu ls in t)e develop'ent pro.ess. In t)e view o+ C) '9ers (&004% 2002!% not ll people in given popul tion ) ve t)e 9ility nd . p 9ility to p rti.ip te in so.i l 'ove'ents nd de.ision ' >ing pro.ess. In )is words% t)ere is t)e d nger o+ Jn ive populis' in w)i.) p rti.ip tion is reg rded s good reg rdless o+ w)o p rti.ip tes or w)o g insJ (C) '9ers% &004% p. &444!. /)ere5s t)ere+ore t)e propensity o+ le ving so'e groups nd individu ls out in t)e pl nning nd i'ple'ent tion o+ develop'ent pro7e.ts lt)oug) t)e pro.ess is 'e nt to sip)on >nowledge nd in+or' tion +ro' ordin ry people. /)is t)ere+ore poses dou9ts s to t)e ;u lity% .redi9ility nd represent tiveness o+ t)e de.isions t) t re t >en. #wing to t)ese .riti.is's nd ' ny ot)ers s +orw rded 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 relev n.e o+ t)e .on.ept to develop'ent pro7e.ts nd initi tives. 8owever% reg rdless o+ t)e division on t)e i'port n.e nd i'p .t o+ p rti.ip tion in develop'ent pro7e.ts% t)e .on.ept is still seen s .riti. l in develop'ent pl nning nd poverty llevi tion 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+ p rti.ip tory 'et)ods in relev nt pro7e.ts. /)e . se is t >en +ro' wood .r +t vill ge pro7e.t t ()wi in t)e (s) nti region% ,) n . &.2.& /)e ?ood C rving Industry in ,) n nd ()wi ?ood . rving 9eg n s pro'inent industry +or +orest regions nd re s in ,) n ' inly +or its .ultur l i'port n.e. /)e industry ) s 9een wit) ,) n i ns +or .enturies. In ' ny situ tions% t)e s>ill is tr ns+erred in+or' lly t)roug) t)e + 'ily line ge syste'. Cultur lly% wood .r +ts 7ust s ot)er .ultur l sy'9ols nd rti+ .ts re seen s 'e ns to e@press peopleDs t)oug)ts% 9elie+s nd w y o+ li+e t)roug) sy'9ols designed to .o''uni. te spe.i+i. 'ess ges (#9eng% *ens )% L Pentsil% 20&&E #>r )% 2002!. C rving nd ot)er .ultur l rti+ .ts lso ' ni+est t)e +ol>lore% environ'ent l .) r .teristi.s nd uni;ue s.ien.e nd te.)nology s well s t)e est)eti. ;u lity nd )u' nisti. di'ension o+ given n tion (NCC% 2004!. /)e wood . rving industry ) s )istori. lly pl yed >ey role in .ultur l pr .ti.es nd displ ys espe.i lly 'ong t)e people o+ (s) nti in ,) n . /)e .tivity w s previously dee'ed s leisure ti'e wor> nd in so'e inst n.es s n .tivity +or supple'enting )ouse)old in.o'e (#9eng et l.% 20&&!. /)e industry ) s )owever e@p nded over t)e ye rs due to its e.ono'i. g ins to t)e . rvers nd t)e n tion in gener l. * ny ) ve t)us ttri9uted t)e growt) nd diversi+ied n ture o+ t)e wood . rving industry to 'odernity nd r pid so.i l .) nge .ross t)e glo9e w)i.) ) ve ' de it di++i.ult to >eep t)e indigenous tr ditions int .t ((du-(gye'% S 9utey% L *ens )% 20&<!. /)e . rving industry re.eived 9oost in t)e &0=0s w)en t)e .ulture o+ ,) n w s e@posed to t)e western world t)roug) intern tion l tr de% org ni6 tion o+ .ultur l +estiv ls nd tr de nd .ulture + irs (#>r )% 2002!. It is esti' ted t) t ,) n g ined tot l o+ -SN 60%000 +ro' t)e s le 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 le st 9out <"00 people eng ged in wood . rving n tionwide (#9eng et l.% 20&&!. #wing to in.re sed +oreign interest in t)e .ultur l rti+ .ts nd t)e evident e.ono'i. potenti l o+ t)e industry% t)e govern'ent o+ ,) n ) s over t)e p st 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 str tegies 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 ,) n 5s ,DP in 20&& nd ) ve .re ted 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 popul r pl .es +or tr dition l wood . rving in ,) n . /)e town is lo. ted on t)e ' in Mu' si-* 'pong )ig)w y 9out &4 >ilo'eters nort) o+ Mu' si in t)e Mw 9re 2 st Distri.t in (s) nti region% ,) n . /)e town .onsists o+ over "000 in) 9it nts. ?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 w s undert >en using ;u lit tive 'et)odology. D t +or t)e study w s g t)ered inter'ittently 9etween P nu ry% 20&0 nd Septe'9er% 20&<. /)e d t w s g t)ered ' inly t)roug) individu l interviews using se'istru.tured interview guides nd 2 group interviews. ( tot l o+ 4" people p rti.ip ted in t)e study. Pri' ry interviews were g t)ered +ro' tot l o+ &" . rvers% &0 wood rti+ .t s)op ownersBsellers nd &" ordin ry in) 9it nts 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 w s t)ere+ore soug)t t)roug) t)e interviews wit) ordin ry in) 9it nts 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 pl nning 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 tr dition l .)ie+ +or t)e . rving industry (Senehene!. Sele.tion o+ p rti.ip nts +or t)e study w s done using purposive nd snow9 ll s 'pling te.)ni;ues (see :ry' n% 200=E Mot) ri% 2004!. Purposive s 'pling )elped to distinguis) 9etween t)e v rious .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 individu ls nd groups s well s in sele.ting ppropri te nu'9er o+ p rti.ip nts. Snow9 ll te.)ni;ue lso ssisted in sele.ting espe.i lly t)e rtis ns. /)roug) t)e snow9 ll te.)ni;ue% . rvers identi+ied initi lly were s>ed to )elp in identi+ying ot)er . rvers espe.i lly t)ose t) t were di++i.ult to lo. te. (s w y to prote.t t)e pri' ry p rti.ip nts% gener l n 'es nd .orresponding nu'9ers re given to e .) o+ t)e' depending on t)eir . tegory. /)e rtis ns re l 9eled s 5. rvers5 plus uni;ue nu'9er. /)e ordin ry residents o+ t)e .o''unity re lso l 9eled s 5resident5 plus t)e gender o+ t)e person nd uni;ue nu'9er. &.2.< Citi6enry P rti.ip tion in t)e ()wi ?ood Cr +t $ill ge Pro7e.t /)e de.entr lised pl nning nd d'inistr tive syste' re;uires distri.ts nd 'etropolit n re s to design + vor 9le poli.ies nd to r ise intern l +unds t)roug) t @es nd ot)er vi 9le +or e++e.tive develop'ent nd d'inistr tion 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) vi 9le touris' potenti l(s! to i'prove t)eir ssets in order to t >e dv nt ge o+ t)e ' r>et 9oo'. /)e Mw 9re 2 st distri.t w)i.) w s . rved +ro' Mw 9re Se>yere Distri.t in &00= in line wit) t)e n tion l spir tion ) s t)ere+ore t >en 'e sures to 9oost t)eir touris' potenti l nd re.eipts 9y en .ting + vor 9le poli.es nd 9uilding relev nt in+r stru.tur l 9 se (M2D% 2006!. /)e distri.t5s potenti l touris' ttr .tions re ll rel ted to .ultur l v lues nd pr .ti.es in.luding >ente we ving (tr dition l .lot)!% tr dition l s)rines nd wood . rving. ( Distri.t Cultur l Co''ittee wit) su9.o''ittee t ()wi ) s t)ere+ore 9een +or'ed to )elp identi+y nd develop inventi9le .ultur l sites% pr .ti.es nd v lues t) t .ould pro'ote touris' in t)e distri.t. So'e tr ining progr ''es ) ve lso 9een org ni6ed +or .r +ts'en in t)e distri.t on +in n.i l nd 9usiness ' n ge'ent nd on eti;uettes in tourists5 re.eption. #t)er pro7e.ts lso in.lude .onstru.tion o+ visitors5 .entres t (d nwo' se s well s w s)roo's +or visitors t Ntonso nd ()wi (M2D% 2006!. 8owever% t)e i'ple'ent tion o+ one t)ese initi tives ) ve re' ined pro9le' ti. owing to l .> o+ nd in de;u te p rti.ip tion on t)e p rt o+ ' ny in) 9it nts nd >ey st >e)olders. /)is pro7e.t is t)e .onstru.tion o+ .r +t vill ge +or t)e ()wi wood . rving industry (M2D% 2006!. /)e pro7e.t st rted in t)e l te &0=05s s w y to 9oost t)e . rving industry nd pro'ote touris' in t)e distri.t. It w s lso n tte'pt to .re te e'ploy'ent venues espe.i lly +or t)e yout) 9y in.re sing t)eir interest in t)e . rving industry. /)e pro7e.t w s 9 ndoned 'idw y +ter sever l stopp ges nd w s 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 ) 9it 9le +or purposes o+ . rving nd even s)ow. sing nd selling t)e rti+ .ts s dis.losed 9y so'e .o''unity le ders 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 ) 9it 9ility over t)e ye rs. Coupled wit) l .> o+ ' inten n.e nd prote.tion% t)e stru.ture is r pidly we ring 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! r rely 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 w s)roo's round it. /)e surroundings o+ t)e 9uilding ) ve lso 9e.o'e litter ground +or so'e individu ls nd )ouse)oldsE 9e) vior w)i.) t)e lo. l le ders re +ig)ting ve)e'ently to er di. te s e.)oed 9y t)e tr dition l .)ie+ responsi9le +or t)e . rving industry (Senehene!. #t)er pu9li. institutions su.) s t)e 2le.tri.ity Co'p ny o+ ,) n lso use so'e e@terior portions o+ t)e stru.ture s stor ge +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 w s put up. In;uisition into w)y t)e pro7e.t ) s re' ined n otiose 'onu'ent reve led diverse 9ut 'u.) rel ted re sons. Dis.ussions wit) t)e di++erent groups o+ st >e)olders pointed to si'il r dire.tion3 in de;u te involve'ent o+ t)e dire.t 9ene+i.i ries in t)e pl nning nd i'ple'ent tion o+ t)e pro7e.t. /)e pro7e.t st rted s n initi tive o+ t)e .entr l 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' n ted +ro' t)e politi. l le ders. Issues rel ting to t)e 9uilding pl n nd design nd its si6e s well s t)e + .ilities t)erein were t)ere+ore +orw rded 9y t)e (sse'9ly nd t)eir 5.)osen5 .ontr .tor. Co. l le ders in.luding t)e lo. l distri.t sse'9ly represent tives nd tr dition l le ders in.luding t)e Sene)ene were .ont .ted +or deli9er tions on issues rel ting to t)e pro7e.t. /)e lo. l le ders were lso 5t s>ed5 wit) t)e responsi9ility o+ sensiti6ing t)e people wit) reg rds to purpose nd relev n.e t)e pro7e.t s w s n rr ted 9y t)e distri.t pl nning o++i.er3 #$$$$%e met with the local leaders for discussions on the &ro'ect$$$$(his &ro'ect was started and brought to a halt$ Our goal was to com&lete it$ %e therefore sought for their &ermission and assistance to com&lete the &ro'ect )*nterview with +istrict &lanning officer,$ /)e .urrent d'inistr tors o+ t)e distri.t t)ere+ore tte'pted to dist n.e t)e'selves +ro' t)e + iled spe.ts o+ t)e pro7e.t in.luding t)e poor p rti.ip tory 'et)ods used in t)e pro7e.t. 8owever% t)e lo. l le ders w)o witnessed t)e .on.eption nd t)e entire i'ple'ent tion pro.esses re.ounted 9itter stories 9out t)eir involve'ent in t)e v rious st ges nd periods o+ i'ple'ent tion3 #$$$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'ent tion pl ns 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 .onsider tion nor .onsidered in t)e design nd i'ple'ent tion o+ t)e pro7e.t. *oreover% despite t)eir ple o+ inno.en.e% t)e lo. l le ders were p rtly t + ult in t)e + ilure o+ t)e pro7e.t. /)ey did not de;u tely . rry out t)eir duty o+ disse'in ting in+or' tion 9out t)e pro7e.t to t)e ordin ry .iti6ens nd even t)e rtis ns 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 st te'ents lso re+le.t t)e ongoing dis gree'ent 9etween t)e two groups o+ le ders nd to gre ter e@tent t)e re son w)y t)e pro7e.t is still unused despite 9eing ) 9it 9le. /)is is lso e@pl ins t)e ine++i.ien.y in t)e p rti.ip tory 'et)od dopted in t)e pro7e.t. /)ere w s .le rly we > +eed9 .> 'e.) nis' 9etween t)e pro7e.t .oordin tors nd t)e st >e)olders. So'e o+ t)e older . rvers 'oreover iter ted t) t% t)e distri.t le ders +o.used t)eir dis.ussions ' inly wit) t)e tr dition l le ders inste d o+ t)e rtis ns even t)oug) t)ey ) ve n sso.i tion w)i.) ' >es .ont .ting t)e' e sier. /)e +in l users o+ t)e pro7e.t were t)ere+ore virtu lly ignored in t)e pl nning nd i'ple'ent tion o+ t)e pro7e.t. /)is is .ontr ry to t)e stipul tions o+ t)e p rti.ip tion pro.ess en.our ged under t)e de.entr lised pl nning nd d'inistr tion syste' in ,) n . /)e . rvers rgued t) t% t)eir l .> o+ involve'ent w s lso due to t)e + .t t) t% tr dition l le ders .ontrol t)e l nd in t)e .o''unity. 8en.e% in order to get ..ess to l nd nd o++i.i l per'it to enter t)e .o''unity% t)e govern'ent o++i.i ls .on.entr ted t)eir dis.ussions wit) t)e .o''unity le ders3 J...the district -commissioners- onl. held discussions with the chiefs$ For ordinar. carvers like me, we were not consulted# (Interview wit) C rver "!. /ypes o+ p rti.ip tion su.) s inter .tive nd sel+-'o9ili6 tion (see *i>>elsen% 200"! w)i.) re strongly en.our ged under t)e de.entr lised pl nning syste' were not dopted in t)is pro7e.t w)ere t)ey .ould ) ve 9een very essenti l. :ot) t)e le ders nd in) 9it nts o+ t)e ()wi .o''unity in.luding t)e rtis ns were p ssive p rti.ip nts (see *i>>elsen% 200"! in t)e pro7e.t. /)e le ders espe.i lly were in+or'ed o+ t)e i'pending pro7e.t nd 9out de.isions t) t ) d lre dy 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 le st t)e +in l users would 9e involved s n in.entive 9y llowing t)e' to o++er even t)eir l 9our. /)is would ) ve 9roug)t t)e' .loser to t)e pro7e.t nd eventu lly ' >ing t)e' ssu'e owners)ip o+ t)e pro7e.t on.e it w s .o'pleted. /)e p ssive p rti.ip tion 'et)od dopted 9y t)e le ders t)ere+ore resulted in n unsu..ess+ul pro7e.t. (ll t)e rtis ns nd even .o''unity le ders ) ve de.lined to use t)e + .ility owing to v ried re sons. /o 9egin wit)% so'e residents did not even ) ve + ir >nowledge on t)e re son +or t)e stru.ture s it ) d 9een t)ere +or long period wit)out ny +un.tion. #ne p rti.ip nt w s ;uoted s s ying3 #$$$* heard a &lace have been built for carvers in this town but * don-t know if it has been com&leted$$$# (Kesident <% +e' le!. /)is w s st te'ent +ro' so'eone w)o lived 7ust 9out &00 'eters +ro' t)e wood .r +t vill ge. It w s even 'ore stonis)ing w)en so'e o+ t)e .o'p r tively older rtis ns ppe red .lueless 9out t)e stru.ture nd t)ere+ore needed det iled des.ription in order to re.ogni6e t)e + .ility in .ontention nd its intended purpose. /)ese revel tions give gener l ide on )ow poor t)e ordin ry people nd even t)e rtis ns o+ t)e industry were involved in t)e v rious st ges nd periods o+ t)e pro7e.t. /)e + .ility lso re' in unused p rtly 9e. use% l'ost ll t)e di++erent groups o+ p rti.ip nts iter ted t)eir +e r o+ t)e rise o+ 'isunderst nding nd .on+li.ts 'ong . rvers% rti+ .t tr ders nd even 9etween )ouse)olds in t)e event o+ distri9utingBs) ring t)e + .ility 'ong t)e rtis ns nd tr ders. /)is is 9e. use t)e + .ility does not ) ve enoug) roo' +or ll3 #$$$$there are a lot of carvers and articraft sellers in this communit.$ (he tourism village cannot accommodate ever.one$$$$$* do not think it will be &ossible to share among all the actors without an. &roblems# (C rver <!. /)is ssertion is true s l'ost every indigenous )ouse)oldB+ 'ily in t)e .o''unity ) ve t le st 'e'9er in t)e . rving industry ((du-(gye' et l.% 20&<!. *oreover% t)e e@p nsion o+ t)e industry over t)e ye rs due to its e.ono'i. g ins lso ttr .ted people +ro' di++erent p rts o+ ,) n into t)e .o''unity. /)e ()wi . rving industry 7ust s ot)er .r +t 9 sed touris' sites in t)e Mw 9re 2 st distri.t t)ere+ore .urrently .onsist o+ people wit) diverse et)ni. 9 .>grounds. /)e et)ni. .o'position o+ t)e +in l users t)ere+ore +urt)er .o'pli. tes t)e situ tion. /)e +e r o+ . using +euds 'ong t)e dire.t 9ene+i.i ries su.) s t)e rtis ns nd t)e .r +t tr ders s well s 'ong )ouse)olds nd even et)ni. groups ) s deterred t)e lo. l le ders +ro' t >ing initi tives to ' >e use o+ t)e + .ility. ,oing 9y t)is situ tion% one .ould wit) e se ppre.i te t)e + .t t) t% +ewer .onsult tions were )eld wit) t)e st >e)olders o+ t)e pro7e.t. /)e so.i l% e.ono'i.% .ultur l nd de'ogr p)i. diversity o+ t)e .o''unity were t)us overloo>ed 9y t)e pl nners. /)e pro7e.t .o''en.ed nd evolved over t)e ye rs wit)out n ..ur te .ount o+ t)e dire.t pl yers in t)e . rving industry. *oreover% one stri>ing rgu'ent put +ort) 9y t)e rtis ns nd tr ders w s 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 ro d. /)e ' 7or ro d in t)e .o''unity is +l n>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 l yout nd identity. #ne o+ t)e . rvers e@pl ined t)is s3 #$$$our aim is to showcase our work$ 0ver.one is located along the street in order to attract customers and &otential tourists who might 'ust be &assing through the communit.$$$$even those that carve in their homes have sho&s along the road to showcase their &roducts )carver 11,$ /)e tourist vill ge is interiorly lo. ted t 9out ) l+ >ilo'eter +ro' t)e ' in ro d. *oving t)e .tivities to t)e .r +t vill ge 'e nt not only losing .usto'ersBpotenti l tourists 9ut lso .) nging t)e tr dition l + 9ri. o+ t)e .o''unity. (s ' tter o+ + .t% t)e ' in ro d in t)e ()wi .o''unity le ds to ot)er tourist .o''unities nd lso t)e . pit l o+ t)e distri.t% * 'ponten. It is t)ere+ore .o''on +or t)e rtis ns to ttr .t .usto'ers +ro' tr velers t)roug) t)e .o''unity w)o 'ig)t 9e visiting ot)er tourist .enters or to t)e Distri.t (sse'9ly. * ny o+ t)e rtis ns nd tr ders t)ere+ore did not w nt to 'ove w y +ro' t)eir tr dition l lo. tion. /)e .urrent pl nning o++i.er o+ t)e Distri.t )owever rgued t) t J.... %e did not need to change the location and design of the &ro'ect as it would have meant starting a new &ro'ect altogether#$ *oreover% t)e .o''unity le ders rgued t) t% t)e .urrent lo. tion w s t)e .losest v il 9le nd uno..upied l nd to t)e street. 8owever% .onvers tions wit) ot)er elderly .iti6ens reve led ot)erwise. #ne resident st ted that #$$$$the &ro'ect started long ago$$$$* do not think the. could not have found a &lace along the streets$$$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 suit 9le 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 si6e 9le stru.tures long t)e ' in ro d in ()wi . *oreover% s ) ve 9een )inted e rlier% 9ot) t)e . rvers nd t)e .o''unity le ders were not ) ppy wit) t)e design o+ t)e stru.ture. /)e . rvers nd tr ders 'ostly )eld t)e view t) t t)e n ture o+ t)e stru.ture .on.e ls t)eir wor> wit) reg rds 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 re son w)y t)e le ders got disinterested in t)e pro7e.t w)en t)eir pre+erred design w s 9 ndoned. So'e o+ t)e rtis ns t)ere+ore re+erred to t)e stru.ture s -com&ound house1, des.ription w)i.) depi.ts t)eir disd in +or t)e design o+ t)e stru.ture. * ny o+ t)e' t)ere+ore s w t)e stru.ture +or t)e touris' vill ge s 5)o'e5 inste d o+ wor> pl .e. /)ese opinions ttest to t)e + .t t) t% t)e input o+ t)e dire.t 9ene+i.i ries were not neit)er soug)t nor in.orpor ted 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 +in l users espe.i lly re llowed to inter .tively p rti.ip te during t)e pro7e.t .on.eption nd i'ple'ent tion. 8owever% pro9 9le in)i9iting + .tors su.) s low edu. tion l level% l .> o+ relev nt te.)ni. l s>ills 'ong pri' ry st >e)olders% )ig) ine;u lity level 'ong in) 9it nts ' y render p rti.ip tion less use+ul to so'e .o''unitiesBpro7e.ts (* nsuri% 20&2! /)e we > p rti.ip tory 'et)ods e'ployed 9y t)e pro7e.t .oordin tors ) ve rendered t)e pro7e.t inutile +or n ppre.i 9le ti'e now. *oreover% t)e situ tion nd ttitude o+ t)e people s o9served in t)e p st < ye rs did not depi.t ny sign o+ + vor 9le .onditions wit) reg rds to t)e use o+ t)e + .ility in t)e ne r +uture. It is t)ere+ore e@pe.ted t) t t)e stru.ture will .ontinue to deterior te. $%, Conclusion /)e p rti.ip tion dis.ourse ) s ) d its + ir s) re o+ .riti.is's nd i'ple'ent tion .onstr ins. /)e .on.ept s ) s 9een rgued 9y ' ny s.)ol rs is not p n .e to ll develop'ent pro9le's. Aor inst n.e% n e'piri. l review o+ t)e p rti.ip tory rur l ppr is l ppro .) (PK(! w)i.) is used 9y ' ny intern tion l develop'ent org ni6 tions in t)e , '9i ) d ground 9re >ing result. Aour .riteri in.luding3 5utilit ri n .onsider tions5% 5.o''unity 'o9ili6 tion5% 5'otiv tion l 9ene+its5 nd 5e'powering t)e poor5 were used to ev lu te nu'9er o+ develop'ent pro7e.ts (:rown% 8owes% 8ussein% C t)erine% L Swindell% 2002!. /)e rese r.)ers .on.luded t) t t)e p rti.ip tory 'et)od ) d we > i'p .t on t)e pro7e.t. In gener l% t)e det iled review o+ t)e p rti.ip tory ppro .) r t)er to very l rge e@tent .on+ir'ed ' ny o+ t)e .riti.is's leveled g inst t)e p rti.ip tion initi tive (*i>>elsen% 200"!. 8owever% t)is is not to rgue t) t p rti.ip tion nd its rel ted ppro .)es re not relev nt in t)e develop'ent pro.ess 9ut to rgue +or t)oroug) ppli. tion o+ relev nt p rti.ip tory ppro .)es in ny develop'ent pro7e.t. /)e . se study presented in t)is p per s)ould serve s 'otiv tion +or 'ore ttention nd s.rutiny into ' >ing t)e p rti.ip tion initi tive 'ore e++e.tive nd 9ene+i.i l to t)e develop'ent pro.esses nd pro7e.ts. *t is the most &revalent housing form in Ghana which has traditionall. accommodated the low income &o&ulation$ *t often has rooms o&ening to a central court.ard$ *t is basicall. a court.ard house ((rsl n% 20&&!
1

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/)e ' 7or i' o+ t)e p rti.ip tion initi tive under t)e de.entr lised govern n.e syste' is to ensure deepened st >e)older p rti.ip tion 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 vill ge t ()wi )owever depi.ts t) t 'ore need to 9e done in order to ' >e t)e initi tive v lu 9le to t)e develop'ent nd de.entr lis tion pro.ess. Citi6enry p rti.ip tion in lo. l govern'ent su.) s i'proving ..ess to in+or' tion nd +ostering 'e.) nis's +or deli9er tive de.ision ' >ing l g 9e)ind in ' ny ,) n i n settings (Cr w+ord% 2004!. (lt)oug) popul r p rti.ip tion in develop'ent pro7e.ts ) ve in.re sed over t)e ye rs in ,) n % t)e pr .ti. l spe.t o+ t)e .on.ept re' in v gue in so'e inst n.es ((rt)ur% 2000!. It is rgued t) t% .ontr ry to t)e + .t t) t distri.t sse'9lies re t)e prin.ip l ut)ority o+ develop'ent t t)e lo. l level% t)e sse'9lies in gener l .t s 'ere .onduits +or develop'ent gend o+ t)e .entr l govern'ent. In so'e inst n.es 7ust s in t)e . se o+ t)e ()wi wood .r +t vill ge% develop'ent pro7e.ts nd t s>s re deleg ted to distri.t sse'9lies nd lo. l ut)orities 9y respe.tive .entr l govern'ent 'inistries nd institutions (Cr w+ord% 2004!. /)e tenets o+ t)e de.entr lised pl nning nd d'inistr tion poli.y in ,) n s)ould t)ere+ore 9e i'ple'ented to t)e l tter. Distri.t sse'9lies s)ould 9e llowed to ) ve gre ter .ontrol in t)eir re s o+ 7urisdi.tion in ter's o+ develop'ent pl nning nd i'ple'ent tion s stipul ted in t)e poli.y +r 'ewor>. Develop'ent initi tives s)ould t)ere+ore not 9e deleg ted to t)e' 9y t)e respe.tive govern'ent 'inistries nd institutions 9ut s)ould e' n te +ro' t)e ordin ry .iti6ens toget)er wit) t)eir le ders (Cr w+ord% 2004!. /)is ppe l 'oreover% re;uires t)e .o''it'ent o+ relev nt govern'ent 'inistries su.) s t)e *inistry o+ Co. l ,overn'ent nd Kur l Develop'ent to en+or.e nd strengt)en t)e v il 9le 9ut dor' nt rules nd l ws governing de.entr lis tion nd .onse;uently t)e p rti.ip tion initi tive. It is lso re.o''ended t) t t)oroug) st >e)older n lysis nd .onsult tion 9e undert >en 9e+ore t)e initi tion or .o''en.e'ent o+ develop'ent pro7e.ts. /)e ' 7ority o+ individu ls% so.i l groups nd relev nt 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 st ges o+ t)e pro7e.t .y.le. /)is will ensure t)e in.lusion o+ views +ro' r nge 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% g in .onsensus nd support +ro' st >e)olders nd redu.e i'ple'ent tion nd post i'ple'ent tion 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 p rti.ip tion o+ st >e)olders in t)e design% 'onitoring nd ev lu tion 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+in l 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'ent tion govern n.e nd ulti' tely pro'otes sust in 9ility o+ t)e pro7e.t ((D:% 20&2E * nsuri L K o% 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.r ti. de.entr li6 tion nd in ensuring so.i l .o)esion nd pro'oting +un.tion l nd stronger institutions ((D:% 20&2!. *oreover% t)e . se study presented )ere lso de'onstr tes t) t% p rti.ip tion . n ensure e++i.ient nd e++e.tive use o+ li'ited resour.es. /)e in .tive st te o+ t)e wood .r +t vill ge i'plies t) t t)e 'onet ry resour.es% t)e ti'e nd e++orts put into initi ting nd i'ple'enting t)e pro7e.t ) ve virtu lly gone into w ste. In developing .ountry li>e ,) n % su.) 'is' n ge'ent o+ resour.es t ny level . nnot 9e toler ted. #pti'u' ttention s)ould t)ere+ore 9e dedi. ted to ddressing t)e gr ve de+i.its in t)e p rti.ip tion initi tive s p rt o+ e++orts to ensure e++i.ient resour.e 'o9ili6 tion nd utili6 tion. (ddition lly% s ) ve 9een d'itted in ' ny relev nt pu9li. poli.ies% t)e de.entr lised pl nning syste' in ,) n nd ' ny ot)er developing n tions l .> de;u te s>illed personnel to s tis+ .torily i'ple'ent t)e progr ''e in ll .onte@ts ((D:% 20&2!. *oreover% ' ny o+ t)ese su9-n tion l 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 pl nning nd d'inistr tion syste'. /o t)is end% it is suggested t) t% t)e govern'ent nd its relev nt n tion l institutions s)ould strengt)en t)eir .o''it'ent to i'proving popul r p rti.ip tion in develop'ent pro.ess. Continu l tr ining nd .ourses s)ould 9e given to personnel t t)e v rious *etropolit n% *uni.ip l nd Distri.t (sse'9lies. *oreover% e@tensive 'onitoring nd ev lu tion s)ould 9e .ondu.ted espe.i lly on issues rel ting to p rti.ip tion t ll st ges in develop'ent pro7e.ts. Current 'onitoring nd ev lu tion +r 'ewor>s s)ould t)ere+ore 9e revised to in.lude e++e.tive .onditions nd st nd rds +or 'onitoring .iti6enry p rti.ip tion in develop'ent pro7e.ts. /)is p per t)ere+ore posits t) t% notwit)st nding t)e .riti.is's nd i'ple'ent tion .) llenges leveled g inst t)e p rti.ip tion initi tive% t)e .on.ept re' in very pertinent to develop'ent pro.ess espe.i lly in t)e initi tion 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 eng ge t)e .on.ept in t)e develop'ent pro7e.ts nd de.isions wit) .ogni6 n.e to t)e )istory% t)e so.i l% e.ono'i.% de'ogr p)i. nd .ultur l situ tion s well s t)e geogr p)i. l nd politi. l environ'ent o+ respe.tive .onte@ts (* nsuri L K o% 20&<!. *oreover% reg rdless o+ t)e + .t t) t ' ny ordin ry .iti6ens ' y not 9e 9le to de;u tely .ontri9ute to t)e te.)ni. l spe.ts o+ so'e develop'ent pro.esses% t)is p per .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 +in l users p rti.ip te in de.isions t) t

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s) pe t)eir lives nd llows t)e' to 'onitor t)e people w)ose t s> it is to govern t)eir destinies5 (* nsuri L K o% 20&<% p. 2=<!. Ac(nowledgement I would li>e to e@press 'y sin.ere gr titude to t)e .)ie+ nd le ders o+ ()wi .o''unity s well s t)e . rvers nd tr ders w)o too> ti'e out o+ t)eir 9usy s.)edules to gr nt 'e nd 'y te ' interviews. I would lso li>e to t) n> t)e Distri.t Pl nning #++i.er o+ Mw 9re 2 st Distri.t% *r. D niel Ao+ie +or )is .ooper tion nd insig)t+ul .ontri9ution. -eferences (D:. (20&2!. Strengt)ening p rti.ip tion +or develop'ent results3 (n (si n Develop'ent : n> guide to p rti.ip tion. * nd luyong City3 (si n Develop'ent : n>. (du-(gye'% P.% S 9utey% ,. /.% L *ens )% 2. (20&<!. New trends in t)e ()wi wood . rving industry in ,) n 3 I'pli. tions +or rt edu. tion nd so.io-e.ono'i. growt). *nternational 3ournal of /usiness and 4anagement 5eview, 1(<!% &66-&=7. (g rw l% :. (200&!. P ti.ip tory e@.lusions% .o''unity +orestry% nd gender3 n n lysis +or Sout) (si nd .on.eptu l +r 'ewor>. %orld +evelo&ment, 6(&0!% &62<-&64=. (rsl n% Q. (20&&!. *nhabitants7 &ers&ectives on the ade8uac. of the com&ound house in A.ig.a, 9umasi, Ghana. P per presented t t)e 2n)r Con+eren.e 20&&% /oulouse. (rt)ur% P. C. (2000!. Kole o+ pu9li. p rti.ip tion in .)ieving develop'ent gend o+ developing .ountries3 /)e . se o+ .o''unities ++e.ted 9y sur+ .e 'ining o+ gold in t)e (suti+i distri.t o+ t)e :rong () +o region o+ ,) n . African 3ournal of 1istor. and :ulture, 1(4!% 60-66. (yee% P. K. (. (2000!. Su9-distri.t stru.tures nd popul r p rti.ip tion3 preli'in ry ssess'ent. In ?. /)o'i (2d.!% A decade of decentralisation in Ghana: retros&ect and &ros&ects$ (pp. &27-&"6!. (..r 3 2P(DB*C,LKD. :rown% D. (2004!. P rti.ip tion in poverty redu.tion str tegies3 de'o.r .y strengt)ened or de'o.r y under'ind. In S. 8i.>ey L ,. *o) n (2ds.!% Partici&ation: From (.rann. to (ransformation. Condon3 Red :oo>s. :rown% D.% 8owes% *.% 8ussein% M.% C t)erine% C.% L Swindell% M. (2002!. Partici&ation in Practice: :ase Studies from the Gambia Condon3 #DI. :ry' n% (. (200=!. Social 5esearch 4ethods (/)ird 2dition ed.!. New Sor>3 #@+ord -niversity Press. C(K2. (&000!. 2'9r .ing p rti.ip tion in develop'ent3 ?orldwide e@perien.e +ro' C(K2Ds reprodu.tive 8e lt) Progr 's wit) step-9y-step +ield guide to p rti.ip tory tools nd te.)ni;ues. In *. M. S) )% S. D. M '9ou L :. *on ) n (2ds.!. (tl nt 3 C(K2 Intern tion l. C) '9ers% K. (&004!. P rti.ip tory Kur l (ppr is l (PK(!3 C) llenges% potenti ls nd p r dig'. %orld +evelo&ment, (&0!% &4<7-&4"4. C) '9ers% K. (2002!. Kel @ed nd P rti.ip tory (ppr is l3 Notes on pr .ti. l ppro .)es nd 'et)ods +or p rtip. nts in PK(BPC( rel ted + 'ili ris tion wor>s)ops. Susse@3 IDS. Cr w+ord% ,. (2004!. +emocratic decentralisation in Ghana: issues and &ros&ects. P per presented t t)e Norwegi n (sso.i tion +or Develop'ent Kese r.) (NA-! (nnu l Con+eren.e% #slo. ,) n distri.ts..o'. (20&<!. :re > down o+ *etropolit n% *uni.ip l nd Distri.t (sse'9lies in ,) n Ketrieved &4B00% 20&<% +ro' www.g) n distri.ts..o'Bpd+sB llT''d sTinTg) n .pd+ ,reig% (.% 8ul'e% D.% L /urner% *. (2007!. :hallenging global ine8ualit.: +evelo&ment theor. and &ractice in the 1st centur.. New Sor>3 P lgr ve * .'il n. M2D. (2006!. (9out t)is distri.t Ketrieved 07-&0% 20&<% +ro' )ttp3BB>w 9re.g) n distri.ts.gov.g)BU rrowV tdLTV2< )ttp3BB>w 9re.g) n distri.ts.gov.g)B Mot) ri% C. K. (2004!. 5esearch 4ethodolog. methods and techni8ues. New Del)i3 New (ge Intern tion l Pu9li. tions Ci'ited. * nsuri% ,. (20&2!. :otto' -p or /op DownE P rti.ip tion nd t)eE Provision o+ Co. l Pu9li. ,oods Povert. 5eduction and 0conomic 4anagement. ? s)ington% DC3 ?orld : n>. * nsuri% ,.% L K o% $. (20&<!. Co. li6ing develop'ent3 Does P rti.ip tion ?or>U ? s)ington D.C3 /)e ?orld : n>. * p Consult Ctd. (2002!. ,ood govern n.e in ,) n 3 Cessons Ce rnt +ro' Donor Support to ,overn n.e in ,) n &002 W2002. (..r 3 Koy l D nis) 2'9 ssy. *ens )% I. (20&&!. (Ke!Stru.turing ,) n Ds /ouris' Industry Aor So.io-2.ono'i. Develop'ent Ketrieved &2&0% 20&<% +ro' )ttp3BBwww.g) n we9..o'B,) n 8o'eP geBNews(r.)iveB rti>el.p)pUIDV22627" *i>>elsen% :. (200"!. 4ethods for +evelo&ment %ork and 5esearch: A new guide for &ractioners. Condon3 S ge Pu9li. tions.

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NCC. (2004!. /)e .ultur l poli.y o+ ,) n . (..r 3 N tion l Co''ission on Culture. #9eng% 2. (.% *ens )% P. M.% L Pentsil% S. (20&&!. C rving out indigenous tree spe.ies to sust in rur l liveli)ood. Ghana 3$ Forestr., ;(2!% ="-06. #>r )% 2. (2002!. (he Growth of %ood :arving *ndustr. in Ghana and its threat to selected tree s&ecies$ * sterDs Progr ''e in 2nviron'ent l S.ien.e% Cund -niversity% Cund. #wusu% ,. (2004!. S' ll towns nd de.entr lised develop'ent in ,) n 3 /)eory nd pr .ti.e. Afrika S&ectrum, "6(2!% &6"-&0". Pieterse% P. N. (20&0!. +evelo&ment theor.: +econstructions<5econstructions. Condon3 S ge Pu9li. tions. K )ne' % *. (&002!. P rti.ip tion. In ?. S .)s (2d.!% (he +evelo&ment +ictionar.: A Guide 9nowledge as Power. Condon3 Red :oo>s. $i9e,) n . (20&2!. I ' gr ti+ied t ,) n Ds touris' .ontri9ution Ketrieved &7-&0% 20&<% +ro' )ttp3BBvi9eg) n ..o'B20&2B02B02Bi- '-gr ti+ied- t-g) n s-touris'-.ontri9ution-'s-sen -d nsu B

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