Institutionalising local economic development practice in Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas A. Akudugu
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Development Planning ◽  
Participatory Development ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Planning System ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Institutional Frameworks ◽  
Development Practice

In recent times, the term ‘local economic development’ has been conceptualised and introduced as a bottom-up participatory development strategy in Ghana. It is intended to be implemented at the district level to facilitate the revitalisation of the local economy and create jobs for local residents. Using in-depth interviews and the analysis of relevant policy documents, this paper evaluates efforts aimed at institutionalising the practice in local institutional frameworks and development planning practice in the country. The paper found out that processes aimed at institutionalising contemporary local economic development practice in Ghana are not making any meaningful impact. Institutional frameworks such as the structuring of development policymaking and planning in the country are still rigid and promote bureaucratic top-down development decision-making processes. Similarly, the promotion of a meaningful bottom-up decentralised planning system is only a well-packaged talk by policymakers in the country. Evidence shows that there is a clear lack of political will to implement reforms, particularly the new decentralisation policy that seeks to make District Assemblies in Ghana responsive to local economic development promotion. There is the need for a conscious effort towards making local economic development practice matter in national and local development endeavour in Ghana.

Is a Self-help Orientation Sufficient Basis for Local [Economic] Development?

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-166
Author(s):  
Eris D. Schoburgh
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Local Governance ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Participatory Development ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
Reform Process ◽  
Governance Reform ◽  
Local Authorities

Local government reform in Jamaica aims (i) to refocus local authorities to providing leadership and a coordinating framework for the collective efforts of the people towards local development and (ii) to assess local service distribution modalities between central and local governments, the private sector and CSOs for more cost-effective arrangements. The institutional context in which these objectives are to be pursued is characterized by a new local governance framework populated by ‘a federated system of development committees’. Development committees are expected to work in partnership with local authorities in pursuit of economic transformation of geographic spaces. Participatory development that development committees exemplify conjures up images of ownership of local [economic] development projects and an empowered citizenry that has the capacity to direct resources in their favour. Development committees represent a differentiated method of local economic governance. But the concern is: Are development committees fit for purpose? This is the fundamental question with which this research is concerned. A survey of parish development committees (PDCs) was conducted to determine the extent to which the organizations are giving effect to their mandate. The study is exploratory in design and relies on qualitative methodologies. The results of the study will be important for assisting the local governance reform process currently underway in Jamaica but should contribute to the discourse on the alternative approaches to managing development in developing countries.

scholarly journals Local economic development agencies and peripheral small town development: Evidence from Somerset East, South Africa

Urbani izziv ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol Supplement (30) ◽  
pp. 144-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faith Lawrence ◽  
Christian M. Rogerson
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Small Town ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Strong Dependence ◽  
Developmental State ◽  
Development Planning ◽  
Economic Development Agencies ◽  
Development Agencies

The activities of Local Economic Development Agencies (LEDAs) represent a channel for place-based development. In South Africa national government has supported the expansion of LEDAs to improve the weak performance of local economic development planning, one of the cornerstones of the developmental state. This article investigates the evolution and operations of a small town LEDA which is situated in one of South Africa’s peripheral regions. The local development facilitation and project work undertaken by the Blue Crane Development Agency (BCDA) in the small town of Somerset East in Eastern Cape Province is discussed. It is shown that this LEDA was innovative in development initiatives which were launched during the period 2004- 2014 for Somerset East and its surrounds. In terms of the projects and operations of BCDA considerable effort was made to identify catalytic opportunities and to support the unlocking of projects in this small town through development facilitation and project management. Nevertheless, the evidence from this case study demonstrates that despite successes, development agencies in South Africa have a strong dependence on parent municipalities which can determine the future direction and sustainability of LEDAs.

Chambers of Commerce and Local Development in France: Problems and Constraints

1998 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 591-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Waters
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Economic Performance ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Public Law ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Private Law ◽  
Chambers Of Commerce ◽  
Unique Potential

As public-law organisations, French chambers of commerce benefit from extensive powers and resources, far surpassing those of their private-law counterparts in Britain. French chambers are powerful organisations in formal terms and have a unique potential for local economic development. Yet public-law status also creates a particular set of problems and difficulties for the French chambers. In this paper, the author examines the economic performance of chambers in France, focusing on the problems and constraints associated with public-law status. It is shown that, if the chambers derive considerable advantages from public-law status, this also imposes severe constraints on their activities. Indeed, these constraints have prevented the chambers from assuming a more dynamic role within the local economy.

Generating Social Capital?

2007 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mel Evans ◽  
Stephen Syrett
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Development Process ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Social Economy ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
The Social

In seeking to understand and promote long-term and inclusive models of local economic development the notion of social capital appears potentially important. In the development of the social economy, an aspect of the local economy which has attracted an increased theoretical and policy focus in recent years, the relationship with social capital appears particularly significant.Yet despite the apparent salience of notions of social capital, there remains a lack of understanding of the nature and extent of existing social capital resources and the precise manner in which these are drawn upon in the development of the social economy to generate further social capital within the local development process. In part this is a result of the conceptual confusion surrounding the notion of social capital, but it also reflects a lack of empirical research. This article explores the notion of social capital and the manner in which it is produced, reproduced and used locally within the social economy as part of the local economic development process. Findings are presented from a transnational European research project which examined the development of social enterprises and the social economy within different localities in order to seek to better understand their interrelationships with the local production and use of social capital.These findings emphasize the importance of contextualization in the study of local social capital and the importance of interpretative approaches for area-based policy development.

scholarly journals Current Issues of Strategic Planning of Local Economic Development of Khmelnytskyi Region

2021 ◽  
pp. 206-216
Author(s):  
Iryna KOVTUN ◽  
Iryna YURYCHYNA
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Development Strategy ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Development Planning ◽  
Economic Security ◽  
Development Indicators ◽  
The Future

Theoretical bases and practical recommendations on strategic planning of local economic development of Khmelnytskyi region are investigated. To this end, the theoretical foundations and peculiarities of the local development strategy are considered, development indicators are analysed and recommendations for improving the level of economic development of Khmelnytskyi region are provided. The essence of strategic planning as a component of the holistic system of local economic development planning is studied. The content of the concept of strategic planning is described. Recommendations are provided for improving mechanisms, such as: local targeted programs, public-private partnerships, local guarantees and social and corporate responsibility projects. It is determined that public-private partnership will allow the authorities to meet the needs of economic development through investment funds. It is proposed to take into account economic security indicators in the development strategy of the region and identify those responsible for their achievement, which will solve the problems of economic security in the future. It is proposed to apply the principle of self-sufficiency in financing the strategy, to strengthen the monitoring system in the development of the strategy, to involve qualified employees from local authorities and business in the development of the strategy. It is recommended to develop programs and projects aimed at attracting investment, supporting entrepreneurship, starting new businesses, maintaining existing businesses, developing local markets and more. The article states that the legal framework of local strategic planning is currently being formed, so in the future we can expect the emergence of a number of new documents and methodological developments that will improve the level of development of the region. Based on this, it is recommended to develop regional plans to increase the investment attractiveness of the region through the preliminary study of its investment environment.

scholarly journals STUDI PENGEMBANGAN EKONOMI LOKAL KOTA BOGOR BERBASIS PRODUK UNGGULAN DAERAH DENGAN ANALISIS SWOT

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuswadi Rustam ◽  
Rachmat Subarkah
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Development Planning ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Retail Sector ◽  
Processing Industry ◽  
The City

The processing industry contributed 19% of GRDP in 2010 - 2017 the second largest after the trade and retail sector, this reflects the city of Bogor as a tourism area and residential area because it forms the largest GRDP of the four sectors. Thus, local economic development planning focuses on the processing industry. the processing industry, which is indeed mostly processed products typical of the city of Bogor, with commodities obtained from the FGD results, including typical culinary delights, processed food, fashion, footwear, and handicrafts. Local Economic Development is expected not only to solve economic problems, but also other aspects of development, namely improving the quality of development and improvement in local communities. Therefore, through a study of local economic development in Bagor City based on Regional Leading Products with the PUD assessment method based on twelve indicators and SWOT analysis with the aim of finding superior local economic products and determining the strategy for developing the Local Economy. This research approach is using a questionnaire, collecting primary and secondary data, through interviews, qualitative (but still measurable), document studies, and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). The city of Bogor has great local economic potential that is able to have a big impact on the regional economy. Some commodities in the city of Bogor, such as the rubber processing industry into footwear products that are able to open job vacancies for the surrounding community with an average workforce of 3-7 workers. There are five commodities that have the potential to be used as a foundation for the development of the local economy, namely commodities, culinary specialties, metal craft fashion, batik crafts, and footwear. through several development strategies of each commodity as a result of this study

Globalisation and local economic development: Place-based and bottom-up public policies in Switzerland and Mexico

2021 ◽  
pp. 026909422110343
Author(s):  
Eduardo I Palavicini Corona
Keyword(s):  
International Economic ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Free Trade ◽  
Economic Integration ◽  
International Economics ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Public Policies ◽  
Bottom Up

The XXI century has reached the end of its first 20 years. Along the years, it has posed complex challenges to economists and economic geographers. For example, the results of elections and consultations in different countries have shown a strong sympathy with political positions that question the benefits of free international flows of goods, services, labour and capital. By the same token, some academics argue that despite international economics theory clearly acknowledges that free trade causes winners and losers, the expected higher gains have not been effectively used to compensate the losers. This article explores the main challenges of international economic integration in sub-national territories in Switzerland and Mexico to better understand the importance of delivering relevant and competent public policies based on territorial specificity.

scholarly journals Prediction of Urban and Rural Tourism Economic Forecast Based on Machine Learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Wusheng Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Causal Relationship ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Tourism Industry ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Economic Forecast ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Tourism Revenue

With the rapid development of tourism, tourism revenue, as one of the important indicators to measure the development of the tourism economy, has high research value. The quasi-prediction of tourism revenue can drive the development of a series of related industries and accelerate the development of the domestic economy. When forecasting tourism income, it is necessary to examine the causal relationship between tourism income and local economic development. The traditional cointegration analysis method is to extract the promotion characteristics of tourism income to the local economy and construct a tourism income prediction model, but it cannot accurately describe the causal relationship between tourism income and local economic development and cannot accurately predict tourism income. We propose an optimized forecasting method of tourism revenue based on time series. This method first conducts a cointegration test on the time series data of the relationship between tourism income and local economic development, constructs a two-variable autoregressive model of tourism income and local economy, and uses the swarm intelligence method to test the causal relationship and the relationship between tourism income and local economic development, calculate the proportion of tourism industry, define the calculation result as the direct influence factor of tourism industry on the local economy, calculate the relevant effect of local tourism development and economic income, and construct tourism income optimization forecast model. The simulation results show that the model used can accurately predict tourism revenue.

scholarly journals Konektivitas Pelabuhan Dan Pembangunan Ekonomi Daerah Provinsi Maluku Utara

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 34-41
Author(s):  
Yetty Yetty ◽  
Abdurrahman Senuk ◽  
Chairullah Amin
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Local Development ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Random Effect Model ◽  
Container Port ◽  
Effect Model ◽  
Port Throughput ◽  
Development Approach ◽  
The Impact

The local development approach based on islands is different with the developing of land area. The natural limitations possessed by the islands region that constrained by some characteristics such as isolation, smallness, boundless, and fragmentation. The study analyzes the impact of port connectivity to the local economic development by taking the case in the island province (North Maluku) in east Indonesia. The analysis method using the panel data model of 9 residences in period 2010-2016 in which the indicators that used are GDP, roadway, port throughput, economic density, and also container port, sea-tollway as the dummy variables. According to the common effect, model shows that all independent variables have a significant influence on the GDP except roadway. While based on Hausman test suggest that random effect model is more appropriated than FEM of which the result shows that container port and sea-tollway have not a significant impact on the GDP. These results implied that the policy of port connectivity within sea-tollway is not effective to improve the local economic development in particular in the islands based on region.

scholarly journals Cluster-Based Local Economic Development (The Case of Cluster Development In Umbul Ponggok, Klaten)

2019 ◽  
pp. 369
Author(s):  
Nunuk Dwi Retnandari ◽  
David Merauje
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Local Economic Development ◽  
Local Economy ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Tourist Destination ◽  
Development Patterns ◽  
Management And Development ◽  
Banking Institutions ◽  
High Level ◽  
Superior Level

Local economic development is one of the means regional governments frequently employ to improve community welfare. However, improper management and development patterns would lead to failure in the implementation of economic development or outside communities may enjoy the benefits of economic development instead. Umbul Ponggok is a community-based tourist destination and it has, to this day, been capable of becoming a source of livelihood for most of the residents living in the area. The community’s involvement at every level of the decision making process and implementation guarantees continuity in the local economy they develop. Additionally, the transparent and accountable management in place ensures the high level of trust people have. Such superior level of trust and involvement was no overnight feat, persistence and wholeheartedness of initiators along with the support of various parties (university, banking institutions, NGO, and others) made certain that the numerous issues encountered were resolved, all challenges overcome, and every opportunity taken.

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