Decentralisation of infrastructure delivery to sub-national governments has become commonplace in governments worldwide especially in developing countries such as Ghana. This is due to the benefits of decentralisation in improving public service delivery. However, decentralised infrastructure delivery is marred with numerous challenges that render most local governments incapable of providing infrastructure within their localities. This paper explored the bureaucratic factors that impede infrastructure delivery at the MMDAs in Ghana. A questionnaire survey with 121 construction professionals in the Departments of Works (DoWs) of the MMDAs within the Ashanti and Greater Accra Regions of Ghana was conducted. The results indicated six (6) major components of the bureaucratic factors that impede the delivery of infrastructure at the MMDAs: Central government bureaucracy; Minimal control of MMDAs; Political influence; MMDA project funding; Lack of capacity of MMDAs; and Political interference. This paper calls for a more committed central government to the establishment of adequate decentralised structures and implementation of major reforms that would remove the bureaucratic obstacles in the delivery of infrastructure at the MMDAs, to ensure effective infrastructure delivery at the MMDAs.
References
[1]
Albehadili, A.F.S. and Hai, L.X. (2018) Impacts of Fiscal Decentralisation and Economic Growth: A Meta-Analysis Approach. International Journal of Management Science and Business Administration, 4, 34-43.
https://doi.org/10.18775/ijmsba.1849-5664-5419.2014.45.1004
[2]
Bardhan, P. (2002) Decentralisation of Governance and Development. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 16, 185-205. https://doi.org/10.1257/089533002320951037
[3]
World Bank (2001) Global Development Finance: Building Coalition for Effective Development Finance. Washington DC.
[4]
Olaseni, M. and Alade, W. (2012) Vision 20:2020 and the Challenges of Infrastructural Development in Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Development, 5, 63-76.
https://doi.org/10.5539/jsd.v5n2p63
[5]
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development/African Center for Economic Transformation (OECD/ACET) (2020) Quality Infrastructure in 21st Century Africa: Prioritising, Accelerating and Scaling Up in the Context of Pida (2021-30).
[6]
Hossain, M.A. (2004) Administrative Decentralisation: A Framework for Discussion and Its Practices in Bangladesh. University of Rajshahi, Department of Public Administration, Rajshani.
[7]
Lawal, T. (2014) Local Government and Rural Infrastructural Delivery in Nigeria. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 4, 139.
https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v4-i4/771
[8]
Amoako-Asiedu, E. and Domfeh, K.A. (2016) The Challenges of Central Government Fiscal and Financial Policies on Local Government Programmes in Ghana. International Journal of African and Asian Studies, 26, 32-40.
[9]
Yeboah, E.N. and Andrew, M. (2020) Challenges Faced by Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Internal Revenue Mobilization in Ghana. International Journal of Asian Social Science, 10, 68-80.
https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.1.2020.101.68.80
[10]
Yeboah-Assiamah, E. (2016) Power to the People! How Far Has the Power Gone to the People? A Qualitative Assessment of Decentralisation Practice in Ghana. Journal of Asian and African Studies, 51, 683-699.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0021909614555349
[11]
Ringo, C.J. and Mollel, H.A. (2014) Making Decentralisation Promote Empowerment of the Local People: Tanzanian Experience. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 5, 175-180.
[12]
Damoah, I.S. and Kumi, D. (2018) Causes of Government Construction Projects Failure in an Emerging Economy: Evidence from Ghana. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business, 11, 558-582.
https://doi.org/10.1108/IJMPB-04-2017-0042
[13]
Kissi, E., Mohammed, S.A. and Owusu-Diatuo, K.J. (2018) Challenges Facing Public Works Departments in Construction Project Delivery within Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies in Ghana. UDS International Journal of Development, 5, 129-143.
[14]
Ankrah, N., Mante, J. and Ndekugri, I. (2015) The Challenges of Infrastructure Procurement in Emerging Economies and Implications for Economic Development: A Case of Ghana. In: Real Estate, Construction and Economic Development in Emerging Market Economies, Routledge, London, 174.
[15]
Brierley, S. (2018) Procurement Mismanagement and the Politicization of Bureaucratic Transfers in Ghana. International Growth Centre (IGC), London, Policy Brief (33304).
[16]
Ngware, S. and Haule, M. (1993) The Forgotten Level: Village Government in Tanzania. Hamburg African Studies, Dar es Salaam.
[17]
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) (2010) Decentralisation Policy Framework: Theme, Accelerating Decentralisation and Local Governance for National Development. Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
[18]
Katsiaouni, O. (2003) Decentralisation and Poverty Reduction: Do It Work? The Workshop on Linking Decentralised Governance and Human Development (UNDP, UNCDF, WBI, and UN-DESA), Mexico City, Interregional Adviser, UNDESA, 3 November 2003.
[19]
Misuraca, G. (2002) Decentralisation and Local Governance: Benefits and Limits. On Decentralisation and Privatization.
[20]
Ahwoi, K. (2010) Local Government and Decentralisation in Ghana. Unimax Macmillan Ltd., Accra.
[21]
Hoedoafia, M.A. (2019) Private Sector Development in Ghana: An Overview. MPRA Paper 96732. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3569529
[22]
Magdalene, A. (2013) Ghana Steps Up Infrastructure Investment. World Finance.
[23]
Karimi, S., Zhakfar, Z. and Sarwary, M.I. (2020) Study of Excessive Bureaucracy in Construction Projects-Causes of Low Level of Competition and Lengthy Tendering Process: A Case Study of Afghanistan. International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology, 10, 66-73. https://doi.org/10.35940/ijeat.A1707.1010120
[24]
Kaufman, H. (1977) Red Tape, Its Origins, Uses, and Abuses. Brookings Institution, Washington DC.
[25]
Al Qahtani, K.M. (2013) Investigating the Impact of Bureaucratic Factors on Government Organisational Performance in the Kingdom of Bahrain: A Multiple Case Study Approach. Doctoral Dissertation, Brunel University, London.
[26]
Asante, L.A. and Helbrecht, I. (2020) The Urban Dimension of Chinese Infrastructure Finance in Africa: A Case of the Kotokuraba Market Project, Cape Coast, Ghana. Journal of Urban Affairs, 42, 1278-1298.
https://doi.org/10.1080/07352166.2019.1629819
[27]
Puopiel, F. and Chimsi, M. (2015) Mobilizing Internally Generated Funds to Finance Development Projects in Ghana’s Northern Region. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 18, 147-160. https://doi.org/10.5130/cjlg.v0i18.4848
[28]
Adu-Gyamfi, E. (2014.) Effective Revenue Mobilization by District Assemblies: A Case Study of Upper Denkyira East Municipal Assembly of Ghana. Public Policy and Administration Review, 2, 97-122.
[29]
Dzansi, J. (2016) Institutions Matter in Infrastructure Delivery in Ghana.
[30]
Bahl, R. and Bird, R. (2013) Decentralisation and Infrastructure in Developing Countries: Reconciling Principles and Practice (No. 16). University of Toronto, Institute on Municipal Finance and Governance, Toronto.
[31]
Bahl, R. and Bird, R.M. (2014) Decentralisation and Infrastructure: Principles and Practice. International Centre for Public Policy Working Paper Series, at AYSPS, GSU, (paper 1408).
[32]
Togba, P.N. (2014) Decentralisation and Service Delivery: A Comparative Case Study of the Health and Social Welfare Departments in Liberia. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Ghana, Accra.
[33]
Crook, R.C. and Sverrisson, A.S. (2001) Decentralisation and Poverty Alleviation in Developing Countries: A Comparative Analysis or, Is West Bengal Unique?
[34]
Bhattacharya, A., Meltzer, J.P., Oppenheim, J., Qureshi, Z. and Stern, N. (2016) Delivering on Sustainable Infrastructure for Better Development and a Better Climate. Global Economy and Development, The Brookings Institution, Washington DC.
[35]
Anabah, J.W. (2015) Challenges to the Public Procurement Act Implementation within the Municipal and District Assemblies in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Doctoral Dissertation.
[36]
Asante, J.A. (2014) Financial Distress Related Causes of Project Delays in the Ghanaian Construction Industry. Doctoral Dissertation.
[37]
Damoah, I.S., Mouzughi, Y. and Kumi, D.K. (2020) The Effects of Government Construction Projects Abandonment: Stakeholders’ Perspective. International Journal of Construction Management, 20, 462-479.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2018.1486172
[38]
Bertucci, G. (2003) Decentralisation and Poverty Reduction: Africa and Asia Experience; Economic and Social. Dakar.
[39]
East Asia Forum (2015) Indonesia’s Infrastructure Progress Is Thwarted by Its Decentralised Structure.
[40]
Van Weele (2000) Purchasing and Supply Management. Thomson Press, Canton.
[41]
Creswell, J.W. (2014) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approach. 4th Edition, Sage, Los Angeles.
[42]
Ayyash, M.M., Ahmad, K., Singh, D., Ayyash, M.M., Ahmad, K. and Singh, D. (2011) A Questionnaire Approach for User Trust Adoption in Palestinian E-Government Initiative. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 8, 1202-1208.
https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2011.1202.1208
[43]
Sawe, B.E. (2018) Biggest Cities in Ghana. WorldAtlas.
[44]
Works Department Operational Manual (2018) Local Government Service (LGS) Establishment, Operationalization, and Management for the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
[45]
Greener, S. (2008) Business Research Methods. Ventus Publishing, Frederiksberg.
[46]
Ahadzie, D.K. (2007) A Model for Predicting the Performance of Project Managers in Mass House Building Projects in Ghana. PhD Thesis, School of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton.
[47]
Kissi, E., Boateng, E.B., Adjei-Kumi, T. and Badu, E. (2017) Principal Component Analysis of Challenges Facing the Implementation of Value Engineering in Public Projects in Developing Countries. International Journal of Construction Management, 17, 142-150. https://doi.org/10.1080/15623599.2016.1233088
[48]
Cheng, E.W. and Li, H. (2002) Construction Partnering Process and Associated Critical Success Factors: Quantitative Investigation. Journal of Management in Engineering, 18, 194-202. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0742-597X(2002)18:4(194)
[49]
Mao, C., Shen, Q., Pan, W. and Ye, K. (2015) Major Barriers to Off-Site Construction: The Developer’s Perspective in China. Journal of Management in Engineering, 31, Article ID: 04014043. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ME.1943-5479.0000246
[50]
Afful, A.E. (2019) Principles Defining Social Sustainability within the Ghanaian Construction Industry. MPhil Thesis, The Department of Construction Technology and Management, College of Art and Built Environment, Kumasi.
[51]
Field, A. (2005) Factor Analysis Using SPSS. Retrieved March, Vol. 17, No. 2019, 63-71.
Mohan, G. (1996) Adjustment and Decentralization in Ghana: A Case of Diminished Sovereignty. Political Geography, 15, 75-94.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0962-6298(95)00009-7
[54]
Badu, E., Edwards, D.J., Owusu-Manu, D. and Brown, D.M. (2012) Barriers to the Implementation of Innovative Financing (IF) of Infrastructure. Journal of Financial Management of Property and Construction, 17, 253-273.
https://doi.org/10.1108/13664381211274362
[55]
Public Procurement Authority (PPA) (2019) Expression of Interest-Details. The Republic of Ghana.
[56]
Millennium Challenge Cooperation (2020) Improving Roads to Reduce Transportation Costs in Ghana. Evaluation Brief, September.
[57]
National Association of Local Governments of Ghana (NALAG) (2020) Integration of National Association of Local Authorities of Ghana in the European Cooperation Programming Process 2021-2027. Compendium of Key Reference Documents.
[58]
Williams, M. (2015) Bricks-and-Mortar Institutions Matter Project Delivery and Unfinished Infrastructure in Ghana’s Local Governments. International Growth Centre (IGC), Policy Brief (89105).
[59]
Martinez-Vazquez, J. and Vaillancourt, F. (2011) Obstacles to Decentralisation: Lessons from the Developing World. Decentralisation in Developing Countries: Global Perspectives on the Obstacles to Fiscal Devolution, Issue September, 1-13.
[60]
Local Government Service (2014) Annual Progress Report. Republic of Ghana.
[61]
Adamtey, R., Sarpong, E.T. and Obeng, G. (2020) A Study towards Deepening Fiscal Decentralisation for Effective Local Service delivery in Ghana. Final Research Report, Good Governance Africa.
[62]
Adaliwor, I.W. (2017) Exploring the Risk Management Practices of the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies in Construction Project Delivery. Doctoral Dissertation.
[63]
Local Governance Act (2016) (Act 936) Ghana Publishing Company Limited, Assembly Press, Accra.
[64]
Fosu, M.A. (2012) An Evaluation of Effectiveness of Revenue Mobilization Strategies of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana: A Case Study of Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA). Doctoral Dissertation.
[65]
Lawal, S. (2000) Local Government Administration in Nigeria: A Practical Approach. Theory and Practice of Local Government.
[66]
Ankamah, S.S. (2012) The Politics of Fiscal Decentralisation in Ghana: An Overview of The Fundamentals. Public Administration Research, 1, 33.
https://doi.org/10.5539/par.v1n1p33
[67]
Odoh, A. (2004) An Assessment of the Operation of Local Governments under Civil Democracy in Nigeria (1999-2003). The Journal of Administration, 22, 45.
[68]
Mohammed, A.W.A. (2018) Politics in Decentralisation: The Appointment of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in Ghana. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 5, 570-588.
https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.512.4675
[69]
Lewis, D.E. (2007) Testing Pendleton’s Premise: Do Political Appointees Make Worse Bureaucrats? The Journal of Politics, 69, 1073-1088.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2508.2007.00608.x
[70]
Sulemana, M. (2009) Understanding the Causes and Impacts of Conflicts in the Northern Region of Ghana. The Ghana Policy Journal, 3, 110-139.
