Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Heather A. Mbaye

Abstract

Previous studies have lauded Ghana's commitment to sustainable development, but corruption and violence may affect sustainable development policies and initiatives related to poverty reduction, agricultural practices, environmental protection, and human development. The purpose of this holistic, qualitative case study was to identify and describe good governance practices in Ghana and threats to sustainable development. A Marxist conceptual lens guided the thematic analysis of data collected from artifact documents, field notes, and interviews of 20 key informants from various professions and diverse perspectives who were directly involved in the governance of Ghana or implementation of policies. Three primary themes emerged: (a) the importance of active governance proactively anticipating and responding to citizen's needs through democratic processes, independent judiciary, social inclusion, and influence in Africa; (b) an effective governance formulating and implementing specific policies to advance citizens' standard of living in partnership with the private sector focused on human capital, education, health services, farms-to-market infrastructures, and revamping economic priorities; and (c) fair governance and rule of law accountable to the people. Ghana's good governance practices for sustainable development that were identified integrated some Western practices while maintaining and sustaining its own cultural norms and priorities. This may be a durable recipe for other African nations to use to effect positive social change for citizens, private institutions, and therefore, good governance, which is germane for sustainable development.

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