Decentralisation and struggles for basic rights in Ghana: opportunities and constraints.

This article looks at the intersection between decentralisation of government and a human rights-based approach to development as a means of poverty reduction. Although relatively unexplored, a potential synergy is noted between the perceived benefits of decentralisation and the two-pronged strategy of a rights-based approach, underpinned by local democratic politics. Through a case-study of Ghana, this article examines the opportunities and constraints on securing human rights at the local level, notably core socio-economic rights, through engagement with local government. It addresses two key questions: to what extent has decentralisation enabled local rights-holders to make claims for basic rights; and to what extent have local government duty-bearers been able to respond to such claims? The article is based on primary research undertaken in the Northern Region of Ghana. Findings are that the opportunities are outweighed by the constraints. On the one hand, decentralisation has enabled poor communities to make claims for basic rights, often facilitated by NGOs. On the other hand, two crucial shortcomings are highlighted. First, the approaches of rights-promoting NGOs have been restricted to human rights education, with little attempt at securing rights through strategies such as community mobilisation and alliance building. Secondly, the accountability of local government duty-bearers to local citizens is very limited, largely arising from democratic deficits in the national political framework of decentralisation. In concluding, suggestions are made about tackling the constraints and simultaneously strengthening the two-pronged strategy of a rights-based approach in a local context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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