“I Feel Like I Don’t Exist in This Community”: Stakeholders’ Thought on Their Noninvolvement in Community Development Initiatives in Kenyase

Abstract

This study adopted a mixed method to investigate the level of stakeholder involvement in community development initiatives in Kenyase. Data for the study were collected from the field using interview schedules, Focus Group Discussions and questionnaires. Findings from the study show the noninvolvement of most of the less resourced stakeholders in decision making notwithstanding the availability of avenues for stakeholder participation in community development initiatives in the community. The study further found the stakeholders’ noninvolvement to be associated with lack resources and the potential of delaying the decision making process. The need for appropriate mechanisms to be put in place to involve all stakeholders in decision making to ensure the success of projects is indicated by the findings.

Keywords: community development, stakeholders, participation, Ghana, non-inclusion