Transnational communities, policy processes and the politics of development: the case of Ghanaian hometown associations
Richard Crook and Gideon Hosu-Porbley
Download NGPA Research Paper 13 (pdf)|
Abstract
Ghanaian hometown associations based in London, which engage with developmental issues in their towns of origin, are a new type of multi-level, transnational social network which loop from South to North to South. To what extent does the transnational character of the networks and policy communities involved have an impact on policy processes and the policy outcomes themselves? It is concluded that the transnational dimension has only a very limited impact either on such associations' mode of interaction with policy communities, or on their ability to penetrate decision-making processes. Such transnational actors operate within the logic of a national level political system which has managed to project itself overseas, and are immersed in the same political and governmental forms of engagement. This paper suggests that, whilst the real importance of political connections has to be acknowledged, the effectiveness of such networks could be strengthened through more engagement with UK donor, governmental and civil society groups interested in development, and through harnessing the expertise of expatriate professionals.
About the authors
Professor Crook is Director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London (richard.crook@sas.ac.uk| ). A specialist in the politics and government of the West African and South Asian regions, he has published extensively on the topics of local politics and decentralisation (see Democracy and Decentralisation in South Asia and West Africa with James Manor, Cambridge University Press, 1998), local justice, delivery of public services and state-civil society relations (see The law, legal institutions and the protection of land rights in Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, Brighton, IDS, 2007).
Gideon Hosu-Porbley is a development researcher with CEPRESE , Legon, Ghana; he previously worked for Action Aid and other NGOs, and as a researcher for the Centre for the Future State, IDS Sussex.
Page last updated 18 June 2008