Civil Society Movement in Ghana : Engaging the Government for Improved Polity

Popoola Michael Akin; Barrister Olaniyi Arije

doi:10.12816/0041198

Article Details

Civil Society Movement in Ghana : Engaging the Government for Improved Polity

Authors:

Popoola Michael Akin | Barrister Olaniyi Arije

Publisher:

Sohar University

Main Topics:

Political science | Sociology and anthropology

Journal:

Oman Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review 2017 Vol.6 Issue 12, pp.41-48

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

10/2017

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

108902

Frequency:

Monthly

pISSN:

22235833

DOI:

10.12816/0041198

Descriptors:

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The contemporary political milieu suggests that the socio-economic development of a nation doesnot wholly depend on the government alone. The crucial role which civil society organizations canplay in this has been widely acknowledged. The emerging consensus posits that any nation whichdesires to exploit and utilize the potentials of the citizens for a broad based national developmentand effective governance, in the overall interest of the people must give due recognition to CSOsand provide them a free political and legal space to operate. This paper discovers that CSOsengagement with the government in Ghana to seek political concession and socio-economic reformsdated back to the colonial era when CSOs initiated and sustained the agitations that led to thecountry’s independence. After political independence, CSOs in the country sustained their vibrancyto hold the new government accountable to the citizenry. Their struggle for social justice andpolitical liberalization continued even all through the harsh political environment foisted on thecountry by incessant military interregnums. However, the emergence of the Fourth Republic haschanged the fortune of CSOs and the friendly political environment which they enjoy nowencourages them to complement the development efforts of the government and this has resulted inbetter polity in Ghana. The unrelenting oversight and complementary roles which CSOs have beenplaying to bridge the gap between the government and the citizenry is part of the reasons Ghana isportrayed as a beacon of democracy in Africa. The paper nonetheless identifies some factors whichhinder the optimal performance of CSOs in Ghana and makes recommendations that would enhancetheir engagement with the government for better impact. Secondary source of data collection wasused.

Article Details

Civil Society Movement in Ghana : Engaging the Government for Improved Polity

Authors:

Popoola Michael Akin | Barrister Olaniyi Arije

Publisher:

Sohar University

Main Topics:

Political science | Sociology and anthropology

Journal:

Oman Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review 2017 Vol.6 Issue 12, pp.41-48

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

10/2017

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

108902

Frequency:

Monthly

pISSN:

22235833

DOI:

10.12816/0041198

Descriptors:

POLITICAL CONDITIONS

ADVOCACY

CIVIL SOCIETY

DEMOCRACY

STATE

GHANA

Advocacy

Civil Society

Engagement

Democracy

Polity

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Popoola Michael Akin | Barrister Olaniyi Arije

Publisher: Sohar University

Main Topics: Political science | Sociology and anthropology

Journal: Oman Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review 2017 Vol.6 Issue 12, pp.41-48

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 10/2017

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 108902

Frequency: Monthly

pISSN: 22235833

DOI: 10.12816/0041198

Descriptors:

Issues

Authors:

Popoola Michael Akin | Barrister Olaniyi Arije

Publisher:

Sohar University

Main Topics:

Political science | Sociology and anthropology

Journal:

Oman Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review 2017 Vol.6 Issue 12, pp.41-48

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

10/2017

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

108902

Frequency:

Monthly

pISSN:

22235833

DOI:

10.12816/0041198