THE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS

OF

ABLEKUMA SOUTH

CONSTITUENCY(AN INITIATIVE OF HON. FREDERIC FRITZ BAFFOUR, MP)

BY: MR EPHRAIM NII TAN SACKEY

(CEO, SENT DEVELOPMENTS GHANA LTD)

+233244975955/+233274428150

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To the constituents, we appreciate your invaluable contributions and cooperation.

Special thanks go to Mr. Ebo Hawkson, Mr. John-Bosco Tieyiri and all the heads of various institutions that gave us their support.

Above all, to God, we say, may His name be glorified forever and ever. Amen.

The map of Ablekuma South Constituency

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TABLE OF CONTENT

PageAcknowledgment ...................................................................................................................... iAbstract........................................................................................................................................ iiTable of Content......................................................................................................................... iii

Chapter One............................................................................................................................... 1 to 21.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background1.2 The Statement and definition of the Problem1.3 General Assumptions1.4 Study Objectives1.5 The Significance of the Study1.6 Operational Definition of Key Terms1.7 Limitations

Chapter Two................................................................................................................................3 to 42.0 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Needs According to each Electoral Area

Chapter Three..................................................................................................................5 to 63.0 METHODOLOGY FOR DATA COLLECTION3.1 The Participants3.2 The Design3.3 Procedures Used in the Consultation Process3.4 Statistical Treatment

Chapter Four..................................................................................................................7 to 154.0 FINDINGS, DISCUSSIONS and ANALYSIS

4.1Findings, 4.2 Discussions4.3 Analysis (Figures)4.4 Rankings4.5 Interpretation of Data

Chapter Five.........................................................................................................................165.0 RECOMMENDATIONS and CONCLUSION

5.1 Recommendations5.2 Conclusion

Chapter Six.....................................................................................................................17 to 196.0 APPENDICES

BIBLIOGRAPHY....................................................................................................................20

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ABSTRACT

Every leadership position is an opportunity to serve people. Just as it will be inappropriate for a caterer to better serve his customers without seeking their interest, so will it be difficult to present the wishes of a given constituents in Parliament if the Member of Parliament does not know the real needs of those he or she represents. It is in view of this that the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South Constituency, Honourable Frederic Fritz Baffour, resolves to bring on board his constituents so that collectively, they would all be able to identify the most pressing needs of the Constituency and design appropriate modalities to address them. By this collaborative initiative, the Honourable MP wishes to give real interpretation to the concept of participatory democracy and also one of the responses, in the series, to honouring his campaign pledges made to the Constituency.

In order that the needs of his constituents are systematically addressed, the MP for the Constituency, decided to put in place an independent Research team to initiate a broad base consultation process throughout the Constituency, engaging all relevant stakeholders in a closer discussions on the issues confronting the Constituency. As part of the process, the views of some selected Chiefs and representatives of identifiable social institutions and the cross-section of the public were consulted through a series of unstructured interviews.

The core concentration of the team was to find out from the respondents what their main problems and priority needs were for the attention of the Honourable MP. The major needs of the constituents were mentioned as Environmental, Infrastructure, Social, Education, Interpersonal Communication and Economic.

While we acknowledge the aforementioned needs by the respondents as realistic and genuine, we recommend that a deeper study be undertaken at a later date to evaluate these needs one after the other in order to design the appropriate means of addressing them.

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Chapter 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

The Ablekuma South constituency shares borders with Odododiodoo, Ablekuma Central, Ablekuma North and Weija Constituencies. That is to say, it lies southwest of the Accra Metropolis. The 2000 population census estimated the population of the Constituency at 251,000. It is believed that it could reach 300,000 by the close of 2009.

The Following electoral areas constitute the Constituency;

Gbebu Electoral Area Korle Gonno Electoral Area Mampong Okai Electoral Area Mamprobi Electoral Area Chorkor Electoral Area Mansralor Electoral Area New Mamprobi Electoral Area and Korlebu Electoral Area

The Constituency, which is one of the largest constituencies in the country, with an estimated voter population of 161,000 in 2008, is not without similar numerous problems other constituencies face. The problems of economic, social, environmental, educational, and infrastructure are the major challenges of the Constituency. Environmental and Infrastructure problems seemed to be more dominant in the Constituency.

Who then should shoulder these? While one school of thought holds the view that a Parliamentarian is not a development agent and that their core function should be limited to legislation, the other argues that MPs are active development agents in their respective constituencies and should therefore be seen actively participating in the development agenda of their constituencies. Apart from these two schools of thoughts, there is yet another group - found between these two – those who think a Member of Parliament is both a Legislator and a Development agent. But every leadership position is an opportunity to serve people.

1.2 The Statement and definition of the Problem:

Ablekuma South Constituency, like any other constituency, is faced with numerous economic, social and environmental challenges. Even though the Constituency had had successive Members of Parliament since 1993, the past Governments, and their Members of Parliament for the Constituency, could not do much to bring the desired development to the Constituency. Could this be the reason why the people of Ablekuma South Constituency continue to wallow in these myriad of problems with little optimism of getting a relief one day? Well, to unravel this mystery, responses to the following three questions were considered:

1. What are some of the challenges do you face as an institution within the constituency?

2. What are some of the challenges do you face within your community?

3. In your opinion, what can be done to solve these problems?

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1.3 General Assumptions

For the purposes of this study, the following assumptions were made:

1. The real problems of Ablekuma South Constituency are still unsolved2. There had not been an effective collaboration between the constituents and their Members of Parliament.3. Effective collaboration between the constituents and the Member of Parliament will create a common

platform for the priority problems to be addressed.

1.4 Study Objectives

1. The MP intends to come out with a blue print for the constituency; this is to guide the appropriate technocrats through the planning process.

2. To build a more effective collaborative relationship between the Member of Parliament and the constituents.

1.5 The Significance of the Study:

The significance of this study, among other things, is to help a planning committee put in place a strategic blue print for the Ablekuma South Constituency to enable the Member of Parliament, Hon. Frederic Fritz Baffour and other stakeholders best meet the development needs of the people of the Constituency.

This study document will also serve as reference manual for other researchers and social 6rganizations as well as interested 6rganizations and individuals who want to research into other needs of the people of the Constituency.

1.6 Operational Definition of Key Terms

For the purposes of this study, the following terms as used in this document are defined below:

a. Economic Problems; these include poverty, unemployment, high cost of living and lack of business opportunities and credit facility for the self employed.

b. Social Problems; these include ignorance, negative cultural practices, health and general security.c. Environmental Problems; these include sanitation (choked gutters, bad drainage system, toilet facilities,

refuse dump, etc), and other pollutants adverse to human healthd. Interpersonal Communication: this refers to those who believe that politicians only seek their mandate

during election time and forget about them afterwards. It also comprised of those who complained that they have not seen the MP as well as other government officials since their coming into office.

e. Educational Problems; this refers to the responses of people that suggest that some individuals or groups need to acquire some form of education, whether formal or informal.

f. Infrastructure Problem: This refers to the need for the tarring or construction of roads, bridges, housing, schools, provision of inexpensive but efficient utilities and community facilities.

g. Needs: this refers to the priorities of the Constituents

1.7 Limitations

Research of this nature could not always be perfect. For instance, some of the responses were not verbal; hence, the researcher had to use his background in Psychology to make inferences on some of the covert behaviours. Besides, the unstructured nature of the questionnaires made it quite difficult to code and analyse the responses. Again, there was not enough time to critically analyse the findings. It is also important to note that the samples interviewed were few relative to the population universe.

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Chapter Two

2.0 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

The AMA within the Ablekuma sub Metro identified the following needs of the people in an invitation letter, dated 26th February, 2009 to the Honourable MP, Local Assemblymen, Opinion Leaders and Government Authorities.

2.1 Needs According to each Electoral Area

a. Chorkor

i. Roads

ii. Proper drains

iii. More Classrooms

iv. Street lights

v. Preschool Institution

vi. Increase in sanitary facilities

vii. Community Centre

viii. Community library and

ix. Small Micro Economic (for the women)

b. Korle Gonnoi. Street lights

ii. Drains – most of them should be covered

iii. Assistance to put up toilets in their home

iv. Social centre and

v. Community library

c. Korle-Bu

d. New Mamprobii. Street lights

ii. Drainage systems

iii. Tarring of roads

e. Mampong Okaii. Good sewerage systemj. Refuse bins

f. Mansralori. Central Sewerage

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g. Gbebui. Glefe- Sea Defence wall

ii. Construction of bridge and tarring of road networks

iii. Micro Loan Scheme targeted at youth groups.

Ebenezer Secondary School

Completion of school wall

The same Metro indicates that out of 28 public toilets within Chorkor, Mamprobi and Korle Gonno, 7 are in a very bad state, 4 are bad, 8 are fairly good, 7 are good and 2 are very good. This is what has been represented in the graph below by the research team.

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Chapter Three

3.0 METHODOLOGY FOR DATA COLLECTION

The purpose of this study is, among other things, getting in touch with the constituents of Ablekuma South Constituency, and through broad based consultations, identifies the most pressing needs of the Constituency in order to map out policy programmes and initiatives, bringing on board the constituents to effectively collaborate with the Member of Parliament for the Area to address their needs.

“If you want to know how people feel [or what their needs really are] ask them”. On that premise, some individuals and organisations that have technical knowledge within their sectors were contacted and asked to write their views about their needs and some suggested solutions to those needs or challenges in the constituency. We also went to the members of various social institutions to interview people on face to face bases. We made personal observations and noted them down in addition to what was said verbally and symbolically. During the interview, we made conscious efforts to control extraneous variables so as to make the outcome scientific as much as possible. For instance, we chose our own participants in almost all the schools we went to. This is to ensure that the teachers or head teachers are unable to manipulate the responses of pupils or students. We also took pictures of some of the spots visited. Despite the fact that the interview was more or less qualitative, we ensured we counted facts and figures that will enable us draw some conclusions on the unfolding issues quantitatively.

3.1 The Participants

In order to have a broader representative sample, we decided to consult the following.

a. Educational Institutions: Information was obtained from Parents, heads of schools, teachers and students or pupils of Saint Mary’s SHS in Korle Gonno, Ebenezer SHS , Mamprobi cluster of Schools, Dansoman 1 and 2 JHS, Josephus Memorial School, Tunga Community School, Korlebu Nursing School as well as some students and pupils we met in town. Other contributors to the data include an educationist and other stakeholders.

b. Health Institutions: Health workers from Dansoman Polyclinic, Korlebu Teaching Hospital, Mamprobi Polyclinic and CHPS in Glefe. Patients and members of the communities around the health centres were also interviewed.

c. Security Officers: Officers from Dansoman Police station and Mamprobi Police station were the major contributors.

d. Economic Institutions: Tuesday market, Dansoman Market, Artisans, Commercial Drivers and the members of the community such as those playing games were interviewed.

e. Traditional/Opinion Leaders: We contacted chiefs and opinion leaders at Korle Gonno, Chorkor and Gbebu.

f. Party Loyalists: Some NDC loyalists were interviewed.

g. The Community: views of some members of the community were also sought.

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3.2 The Design

Some Chiefs and selected influential opinion leaders were interviewed. The selection of the chiefs was based on probability sampling. The chiefs were included because of our socio-cultural setting, where the chiefs represent the values and beliefs of their ‘subjects’. Like the chiefs, the selection of the opinion leaders and the various social institutions were based on probability, since it was difficult interviewing every member of the Constituency. But in doing so, we took into consideration the location and beliefs among the constituents to ensure fair representations. In all, a total of 216 respondents were interviewed.

3.3 Procedures Used in the Consultation Process

In order that we received fair and unbiased responses from our respondents, no prior notice were given. Respondents were contacted in their locale to respond to the interview, and the purpose of the study was indicated to all respondents in order to have their maximum cooperation. Respondents were interviewed individually as well as in groups and at different locations. This is to enable us get genuine responses from them.

The crossed section of the public, including market women, were also interviewed to get their responses regarding what their problems were and what they would want the appropriate authorities to do for them in the Constituency.

3.4 Statistical TreatmentUpon completion of this procedure, the team gathered all the information received and tallied it. We then compared our observations to what we were told by the constituents. We went on to match the acquired information against what the sampled specialists in some institutions wrote to aid the research. Though we used examples by mentioning some institutions, we did not consider in details problems that are peculiar to the individuals involved. We finally picked the first six highest responded needs to know the number of responses that supported those needs. Then after tabulating these responses we ranked them to know which of these needs, when met, will satisfy the majority needs of the people.

.

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Chapter Four

4.0 FINDINGS, DISCUSIONS and ANALYSIS

4.1 Findings (Needs)

a. Chorkor needs:

i. Public toiletsii. Community Bankiii. Micro finance given to the fishermen, fish mongers artisans etc.iv. Refuse containers to be provided in the various neighbourhoodsv. A bridge at Chorkor Chemuenaa –Shiabu and the dredging of the lagoon vi. Easy accessibility and affordability of Outboard and Premix Fuelvii. Chorkor police assisted logistically and provided with accommodation.viii.Water and electricity supply disruption curtailedix. Cost of utility reduced x. Public sensitization to promote formal and informal education, i.e. to prevent drug abuse and teenage

pregnancyxi. The youth employedxii. Education on good hygienic practicesxiii. Working visit by the MPxiv. School feeding program

b. Mampong Okai needs:I. Additional classrooms and an office for the Tunga community basic schoolII. Additional classroom, offices, fence and a properly developed football park for Dansoman 3 and 4 basic

schools.III. Challenges associated with NHIS administration solved (monies owed by the government paid) at the

Dansoman polyclinicIV. A relocation of its polyclinic due to limited land space at its current locationV. Water and electricity supply bettered

v. Vi. Access roads tarredvi. Vii. Working visit by the MP

viii. Additional street lights

ix Youth given jobsx. Health centre provided

c. Gbebu needs:i. A bridge on Mpoase – Glefe road constructedii. Flooding problem solved at Ebenezer down.iii. Ebenezer Senior High School assisted with provision of Security systems (completion of wall and lighting

system), additional classrooms, ICT and Science laboratories as well as library facilitiesiv. A police postv. Main electric transformer repaired/ replaced at Glefe and Gbegbeese, (near Atomic Hotel)vi. Sea defence built at Glefe vii. Public sensitization to promote formal and informal education, i.e. to prevent drug abuse and teenage

pregnancyviii.Health centre providedix. Working visit by the MPx. Access roads tarred and drains constructedxi. Sand-winning business discouraged.

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xii. Refuse containers provided xiii. The school going age encouraged to go to schoolxiv. Chieftaincy problems solvedxv. Karikari Brobbey Park developed as a standard sports facilityxvi. Toilet facilities built and xvii. Youth employment opportunities

d. Mamprobi needs:

i. Its public schools properly fenced and secured to avoid community interferences.ii. Additional classrooms, offices, toilet and refuse facilities provided.iii. School parks developed and school feeding programme extended.iv. Polyclinic maternity ward renovated and NHIS setbacks (monies owed by the government paid) resolved.v. Police station logistically supported, provided with accommodation and tarred to avoid perennial flooding.vi. Working visit by the MPvii. Constant flow of water and electricity at affordable cost.viii.Job for the youth.

e. Mansralor needs:

i. Perennial flooding problems solved at Otojorii. TV networks reception enhanced (innovative TV antenna system) at the SSNIT flatsiii. Community children’s park near NVTI rehabilitated and managed properlyiv. Logistical support and accommodation for the police stationv. Uninterrupted supply of water and electricityvi. Job for the youthf. Toilets and refuse containers provided g. Working visits by the MPh. Public sensitization to promote formal and informal education, i.e. to prevent drug abuse and teenage

pregnancyvii. Access roads constructed and viii.The youth employed

f. Korlebu needs:i. Korlebu police station and hospital assisted with logistics or equipments.ii. Nurses and Midwifery training college assisted to reduce theft, insecurity, over-crowding in the hostel, as well

as untarred access roadsiii. Working visit by the MPiv. Challenges associated with NHIS administration solved (monies owed by the government paid) to the KBTHv. Constant supply of water and electricityvi. Access roads patched

g. Korle Gonno needs:i. St. Mary’s Senior High School’s refuse and drainage problems solved and premises protected against littering

and public intrusion.ii. Public sensitization to promote formal and informal education, i.e. to prevent drug abuse and teenage

pregnancyiii. Toilets for the communityiv. Working visit by the MPv. Vacant stalls, drainage, refuse, flooding, roof leakages and security challenges at the Tuesday Market solvedvi. The rest of the access roads tarredvii. Public sensitisation on good hygiene practicesviii.Employment for the youth

ix. Frequent emptying of refuse containers

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h. New Mamprobi needs:

i. Refuse containers and toilet facilitiesii. Foot-bridges on Mamponse drains to link Camara- Banana-Inn and Camara-Agegeiii. Uninterrupted supply of water and electricityiv. Working visit by the MPv. Constant police patrolvi. Jobs for the youthvii. Access roads tarred and drains constructedviii.Youth employed

4.2 DiscussionsThe following discussion is basically the report of some of the places visited

a. Education Institution: The common issue that runs through almost all the schools visited were sanitation and interference by the community in which the schools are located. On sanitation for instance, the St Mary’s Senior High School spent over GHC500 recently to desilt the gutter that passes through the compound to the Korle Lagoon. It is alleged that some members of the community throw rubbish into this gutter which gets choked before it get into the Korle Lagoon. This allegation was collaborated by an opinion leader within the vicinity.

Besides, some of the school compounds are used as waste ground by the community as alleged by the students and some staff of schools. To avoid this, The Ebenezer Secondary School for example, despite its constraints, provided the community with a container to dump their refuse, but to no avail as some still throw refuse into the compound. As if this is not enough, some members of the community also use school classrooms for illicit sex, drug taking as well toilets.

The schools playing fields are used by the community regularly and this has occasioned damage to school property.

In the worldview of some students, the community is not the only problem. The authorities in the schools levy them for things they have never enjoyed. For instance, it was alleged that authorities in Mamprobi Cluster of Schools levy the pupil’s indiscriminately (wall fee); yet, they informed us that they are unable to pay the GHC6000 that was spent on the construction of the wall because the government has cancelled payment of fees.

The schools also “lack” infrastructure such as classrooms, places of convenience, Science Labs, ICT Centres and accommodation for the teaching staff as well as boarding facilities, with Ebenezer Secondary School as an example.

Whereas some of the basic schools believe that if the school feeding program is initiated, it would improve their enrolment, others also suggested that the money should rather be channelled into providing infrastructure. Some of the pupils who are supposed to utilise this program do not, because the food prepared is unappetizing and unpalatable.

b. Health Institution: Malaria was identified as the most frequently reported illness in the various health centres. This phenomenon is as a result of poor sanitation and inability of the people to acquire and use mosquito nets.

The sector is also constrained by the fact that the National Health Insurance Scheme owes it huge debts. The scheme for instance owes Mamprobi Polyclinic over GH¢ 280,000. The free antenatal care policy has aggravated the issue.Pg. 9Most of the staff in the health sector do not have the requisite accommodation. Some live far away from the area and are thus unable to respond speedily in the event of emergency.

Mamprobi Polyclinic is in dire need of accommodation and working space for vital equipments. There was an instance where newly acquired equipment had to be given to another clinic because of the lack of adequate structures to house it.

The community clinic at Glefe needs a security fence, a support base for a water tank donated by the Hon. MP as well as the completion of an overhead structure to provide shade for patients.

Again, it is not an exaggeration to say that most of the health institutions do not have vehicles to transport the sick and outreach officials. As a result, commercial vehicles are sometimes relied upon to carry out such services, which is expensive and inconvenient.

On the part of patients, they denied the notion that they have free antenatal care. They claim that the only things they have for free are maternity cards and rudeness, especially, on the part of female health workers.

They (patients) complain that not only do the charges vary from one government clinic to the other but also they are discriminated against whenever they use the National Health Insurance Card. In fact, drugs that are perceived to be quite expensive are always not available in stock for those with NHIS.

One other problem that is worth mentioning is insufficient equipments in all the clinics. This has brought undue pressure on The Korlebu Teaching Hospital which is perceived to be better resourced.

Moreover, the human resource available, to say the least, do not meet the international requirement. One doctor for instance, has to take care of many patients. It in this regard that some of the patients have to be in queue for a long time before they are taken care of.

Of course, one cannot lose sight of some of the dilapidated structures that need to be renovated or maintained properly. One cannot imagine that Korle-bu Hospital can still operate in dilapidated iron and wooden structures.

c. SecurityThe most reported cases include robbery, physical and verbal assaults, fraud, abduction, and rape. The fraud cases are mostly against landlords and landladies or accommodation agents whereas the physical and verbal assaults are reported between friends and relatives.

The major problem affecting the security officers is accommodation. Investigation revealed that some of the officers have to “perch with” friends and other relatives despite their age or marital status. It is believed that those who can afford to rent private accommodation are unable to do so due to rampant transfers.

Another hindrance to the work of the security officers is insufficient communication gadgets, such as walkie-talkies, etc. This makes the officers unable to link up with colleagues in order to track the movement of criminals.

Like other institutions, the service is plagued with insufficient in. Some of the existing ones need renovation. The Mamprobi Police station is known to flood during every rainy season.

A shortfall in operative personnel is also another significant problem that the police face. Perhaps, this explains why they are unable to meet the immediate needs of the communities. Indeed, I was made aware that the police and population ratio is 1:2000 in Ghana and for that matter, the constituency. This is far below the internationally accepted standards.

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Moreover, collaboration and co-operation between the police and the public is at low ebb. It is alleged that some police officers reveal the identity of their informants to suspects. As a result, some of these informants become vulnerable to criminal attacks. They therefore see it as a risky venture to volunteer information leading to arrests etc.

Some members of the community alleged that they are given excuses most of the time by the police officers when they send complaints to the police stations. They are often told they do not have personnel and when they are many in the office, they say, they do not have vehicles.

Again, it is perceived that, on some occasions, the police demand money before attending to the needs of victims and public. In view of this, if one believes that he or she does not have money to pay for the services of the police, it is better to tolerate the criminals in the community.

d. Economic (Artisans/Traders/Fishermen/Drivers)

Workers under this heading are bedevilled with lack of funds (working capital). Quite apart from that, a visit to the Tuesday Market showed that most of the stalls were unoccupied. An investigation revealed that the owners prefer selling at the entrance to the market. This is because they are able to catch the attention of the customers at the entrance to the detriment of those in the market.

Besides, some of the market structures are in abject disrepair. The Tuesday market for instance, leaks during the raining season, resulting in flooding which is also caused by the choked gutters.Security in the markets is not the best. In fact, there is next to no security. What heightens the problem is the absence of a gate at the entrance of the market. As a result thieves break in intermittently to steal goods kept there. Some members of the community also use the markets as their bedrooms, smoking of illegal drugs and gambling. This could be as a result of the disconnection of power at the market by ECG.

On the part of the fishermen, their biggest problem is the unavailability of pre-mixed fuel. Even when available, it is sold at a very exorbitant price.

Further investigation indicated that the issue about out-board motors for the fishermen are not different from the pre-mixed fuel. They are very scarce and expensive.

The fishermen further complained that prices for their working inputs had increased astronomically, and upon enquiry, this was blamed by the suppliers to the advent of the new NDC Government which they supported.

The Glefe branch of GPRTU when contacted named the following as their priority needs: Construction and tarring of their road networks, sea defence wall and the need for more public toilets.

They were also not pleased with the way they are indiscriminately arrested by the police even at no provocation. On the other hand, they believe that if the police are made to work on the highways during weekends, it will go a long way to reducing the carnage on the roads. This is because most of the accidents on the roads occur on the highways during weekends, when the police seemed to be on break. Still on accidents, they suggested that when the police find someone over speeding, the person should immediately be made to park and wait for sometime as a punishment.

e. Traditional/ Opinion leaders

Chieftaincy and stool disputes were the main complaints of the traditional leaders interviewed. This they claim has contributed to the disunity within the affected communities, leading to underdevelopment and social unrest. Mampongse in Gbebu is a prime example.

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The public and various opinion leaders alleged that some traditional leaders have sold public lands to the detriment of the community leaving none for social amenities such as schools, clinics, market, etc.

They outlined some of the things they wish to have. These include,

(a) Employment for the youth,

(b) Construction of roads such as the one from Agege to Glefe, Mamprobi to Camara etc

(c) Clump on armed robbery in the communities,

(d) Clinic, for instance in Mampongse

(e) Market,

(f) Places of convenience

(g) Scholarship scheme for the pupils/students,

(h) Rubbish containers,

(i) Drainage, etc

f. Party Loyalists:

Some party loyalists were also contacted. They made requests and gave suggestions.

Employment was at the top of the requests that was made. About 80% of those interviewed said they campaigned vigorously for NDC with the anticipation that they will get employment when the party comes to power. Most of them were unable to explain their potentials. Nonetheless, those who have quite a higher level of education were able to indicate what they can do and their area of interest.

One other request is for the government to ensure that it fulfils its promises to the electorates. This they believe will enhance the chances of the party come, 2012 election.

They also feel that the house to house visit should not end just because the elections are over. This is because they told some of the electorates that the NPP came for their votes only to abandon them after the election. They promised them to test them (NDC) and see the difference between those who are social and those who came for their votes in order to own properties.

They suggested that when the constituents call on the party officials, they should not speak to them aggressively or with anger, because it could scare them away from the party. They say they campaigned on the fact that the members of the NPP are arrogant; hence, they (NDC) should not be caught in the same web.

One other grievance that is mostly requested to be addressed is recognition. In their worldview, it will be appropriate for the party officials to recognise their effort by organising a party for them or at least call for a meeting to thank them for their efforts as done in other constituencies.

Some of them were also not pleased with “the slow pace” of government activities. For instance they see no reason why the NPP members should continue to occupy certain positions and manage some government programmes such as the school feeding program whereas they continue to wallow in poverty. They recommended that government should let the National Petroleum Authority ensure that the adjustment in fuel prices be made significant enough to ensure that transportation fares are adjusted accordingly. The situation where fuel prices are increased for less than 5% and yet transport fares are increased over 10%, according to some party loyalists, is unfair to the poor.

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g. The Community

The community shared the views held by the traditional leaders. But to reiterate their sentiments, they are very much concerned about:

a. The poor nature of road networks,

b. The jobless youth who are mostly unskilled labours ,

c. Poor sanitation , for instance, at Otojor in Dansoman, the lagoon in Glefe and two gutters in Alhaji and Chorkor. Otojor and Glefe are amongst the major flooding flashpoints in the constituency. They have poor drainage facilities. Most of the buildings are also built on water ways.

d. The introduction of the prepaid electricity metres was blamed for increased bills.

e. Insufficient and non-functional street lights ,

f. During a visit to Dansoman SSNIT flat, it was suggested that the occupants will be very much pleased if they could get a single “Satellite TV dish” that could give the entire flat access to TV networks without necessarily putting TV poles on top of their buildings.

g. Some of them cautioned that if our visit to them yields no result, they will vote against the NDC in 2012. Some revealed that but for our visit, they were becoming agitated for not seeing any leader in their vicinity like they used to during the campaign.

Note that apart from the above information, other information such as the number of people who wanted or asked to feel the presence of the political leader(s) was recorded.

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4.3 Analysis (Figures)

Institutions Economic

% Envt’l % Interpersonal comm..

% Education

% Inf. Devt

% Social % Actual Total

EDUCATION 13 34 10 21 41 22 53

HEALTH 12 15 9 7 11 8 28

SECURITY 6 7 8 5 10 10 10

ECONOMIC 28 28 24 12 16 6 36

OPINION LEADERS 16 17 16 11 12 11 19

PARTY LOYALISTS 22 23 28 12 21 10 29

COMMUNITY 23 37 28 23 23 18 41

TOTAL 120 16.8 161 22.6 123 17.2 91 12.7 134 18.8 85 11.9 216

4.4 Rankings According to the most expressed need

NEEDS RANKS % SCORE # of RESPONSES

Environmental 1ST 22.6 161

Infrastructure Devt.

2ND 18.8 134

Interpersonal Comm.

3RD 17.2 123

Economic 4TH 16.8 120

Educational 5TH 12.7 91

Social 6TH 11.9 85

TOTAL 100 714

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4.5 Interpretation of data

Out of the 714 responses from 216 respondents, Environmental needs had as much as 161 responses. Meaning, 22.6% of the responses were in favour of tackling the sanitation menace. As much as 37 members of the community out of the 41 interviewees felt that sanitation is one of the biggest challenges faced by the constituency.

Followed by sanitation (environmental) is infrastructure development which scored 18.8% as a result of 134 responses. To those in the educational institution, it is the worse impediment. Indeed 41 respondents out of the 53 interviewed supported this notion. 100% of the security officers interviewed gave their thump up for the provision of infrastructure such as accommodation.

28 out of the 29 party loyalists interviewed said one of the things they want is to have interpersonal relationship with their party leaders so as to defend the party when it is being accused by the opponents. This made interpersonal relationship scored 17.2% for the overall responses. Most of the security officers like other institutions interviewed, also asked the date that the officials themselves (especially, the MP) will come to confer with them as it is done in some constituencies.

There were 3 responses short of the “interpersonal communication” responses that gave economic needs the 4th position with 16.8 % score. Artisans as well as the members of the community and party loyalist made the greatest demand for economic needs.

Knowledge acquisition is the next to last.12.7% of the 714 responses believe that the people need to acquire either formal or informal knowledge. 23 members of the community supported this idea. The issue was mostly on the need to motivate people to acquire a different 19ehavior and not necessarily to say that the respondents want to go to school.

Social issues such as, the need for security, good health and the like constituted 11.9% of the responses. Patients were interviewed from the clinics but they see sanitation and unfair treatment by some nurses as more of a problem than the situation they were in. The economic institution formed the major contributors as they feel that their biggest need is financial support for their business.

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Chapter Five

5.0 RECOMMENDATIONS and CONCLUSIONS

Investigation about the opinions of the constituents concerning the number of unemployed, relative to those employed would be helpful and provide testable hypothesis. It would also be useful to search and interview members of the opposition as a group just as how the opinions of the party loyalist were sorted. If the research is done on weekends as well, it will provide opportunity to some of those who reside in the constituency and yet work outside the territory also to contribute. Besides, if the research is done quantitatively instead of qualitatively, it will be easier for it to be replicated, coded and analysed.

Apart from that, it will serve a good purpose to take video footages of places that require urgent attention in addition to the pictures. One potential hypothesis would be that sociologically, Ablekuma South constituency is a simple society. We chose this hypothesis because knowing and understanding the behaviour of people is paramount to effective governance. Research could also be made to know the correlation between satisfying the needs of the electorates and retaining ones position as a politician. In fact many areas with regards to the views of the people’s needs and perhaps, who they are, hang about to be studied.

Our major objective for this study was to provide the foundation for a planning committee to put in place a strategic blueprint for the Ablekuma South Constituency to enable the Member of Parliament, Hon. Frederic Fritz Baffour and other stakeholders best meet the development needs of the people of the Constituency. And it is also our responsibility to offer the following recommendations;

1. A Committee of experts should be constituted as indicated in the objective above, to discuss this document and come out with a holistic and comprehensive working document on the developmental agenda for the Constituency.

2. A detailed study into each of the six specific needs of the constituents is recommended to enable a clear understanding of the issues on the ground.

3. In order that the problems of the Constituency are effectively addressed, there should be continuing good working relationship and coordination among all the stakeholders.

4. Ignorance is still pervasive in the Constituency and therefore, there should be sensitisation programmes put in place to carry out social education on civic responsibility of the constituents.

5. To curb crime, some security officers should be accommodated in places where crime is rampant (mixed with civilians) and not necessarily in quarters or barracks alone.

5.2 Conclusion

The electorates are not indifferent when it comes to what politicians do with the power invested in them. It is their wish to be partners in making decisions. Indeed the people of Ablekuma South are very much awake to the fact that participation is one of the tenets of good governance. Any attempt by any politician to exclude their opinion in the governance process could be unpleasant for that politician. The needs of the people are very numerous. What is the most pressing for the politician might not necessarily be what the citizen need most. They have views about all the social institutions and they are always ready to express these views. This good initiative should therefore continue.

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APPENDICES

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Chapter 6 6.0 APPENDICE OF EXHIBITS

Agege 205 Bus stop (App 1) Chorkor Chemuena (App 2)

The poorly constructed bridge at Banana Inn (App 3) Chorkor T Garden (App 4)

Flood zone in Otojor (App 5) The beautiful Glefe Lagoon (App 6)

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Alhaji Drain (App 7) Cover for gutters removed & sold (App 8)

SSNIT flat (App 9) School Pupils Labouring (App 10)

His job is to hunt for metals for survival. (App 11) The abandoned Children’s Park near NVTI, Dansoman (App 12)

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Ablekuma Sub-Metro District Council annual report for the year, 2008

2. Ablekuma Sub-Metro District Council information on Toilet facilities.

3. Internet (the map of Accra)

Chorkor Chemuena (App 13)

Pg. 20 Mr. Ephraim Nii Tan Sackey