Non-formal education and women’s empowerment: an assessment of the contemporal relevance of Freire’s concept of conscientisation in increasing district assemblywomen’s participation in community development and governance in Northen Ghana

Abstract

The study examined the contemporary relevance of Freire’s concept of conscientisation as a framework, as well as how organized non-formal education (NFE) programmes have increased women’s participation in local-level governance as assembly members in Ghana’s Northern sector. The study investigated women’s abilities to contest assembly elections, effectively campaign for election, lobby for an appointment, raise funds for assembly election activities, and actively participate in assembly business. Using the simple random sampling technique, data was collected from all 276 assemblywomen (2015 cohort) in three randomly selected regions (Upper East, Upper West, and Brong Ahafo) of Northern Ghana using a cross-sectional survey. Percentages, frequency counts, and correlation coefficients were used to analyze the data. The study findings revealed that a significant correlation exists between NFE skills and knowledge acquired and the assemblywomen’s participation. The NFE, based on Freire’s ideas of conscientisation, was significant and necessary, but it was insufficient as a geo-socio-cultural setting for women’s participation as assembly members. Recommendations include organizing similar education programmes for the custodians of socio-cultural and religious beliefs and practices alongside those for women to increase women’s participation in assembly work, community development, and governance.