Analysis of Social Audit Committee as an Effective Tool for Vertical Accountability in Ghana`s Local Government System: A Case Study of Ga-East Municipal Assembly.
Date
2018-07
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
Local government administration over the past three decades has been hindered by the
issues of accountability and transparency in meeting the needs and demands of local
citizens. One of the mechanisms used by citizens to ensure accountability among local
public officials is through local elections. Meanwhile, studies have shown that elections
have a periodic interval for at least four years in ensuring accountability among public
officials. This according to studies leads to the manipulation of local citizens by the ruling
elites in society. This thesis seeks to investigate the Social Audit Committee as a vertical
accountability tool aside election which has a periodic interval in enhancing vertical
accountability among local officials at the GA-East Municipal Assembly. The qualitative
approach to a research study was used in conducting the study and data was collected
through the use of an interview guide and reports from the Assembly. Findings from the
study revealed that vertical accountability is practised at GA-East Municipal Assembly
through the participating of the social audit committee (SAC) members in the budgeting
preparation, monitoring, and evaluation of projects and programs. Also, the study revealed
that the lack of resources, capacity building, right to information, legal standing, effective
complain mechanism, political will, voice, and effective participation are a daunting
impediment to the successful implementation of vertical accountability by Social Audit
Committee at the GA-East Municipal Assembly.
Description
MPhil.
Keywords
Social Audit, Vertical Accountability, Local government, Ga-East Municipal