Factors influencing the approach to community development in Ghanaian urban slums
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Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Group
Abstract
The approaches used in community development (CD) are critical
to the success or failure of projects. Yet, we know little about
approaches employed in CD in urban areas. This study investigates
the approaches employed in two CD projects (construction of
footbridges and cassava processing) in Ashaiman, an urban
Ghanaian slum, and the factors that influenced the selected
approaches. We used a qualitative technique by conducting semistructured
interviews with 23 stakeholders involved in CD activities
in Ashaiman. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and thematically
analyzed. The findings demonstrated that the two
selected initiatives used both self-help and technical support
approaches, with the latter approach dominating. The community's
capacity, weak social ties among the residents, and nature of the
project undertaken were the factors that determined the
approaches taken. The basis for the approach used in CD should
be the characteristics of the communities and how they facilitate
the successful implementation of projects.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Community development, approaches to community development, Ghana, slum communities