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.

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.