Civic Engagement in Public Policy Making: Fad or Reality in Ghana?

Ghana's 55 years of nationhood have largely been lived under successions of undemocratic rule. There is the perception that the undemocratic governments, among others, excluded Ghanaians from the public policy-making process. However, many now believe the reintroduction of constitutional rule since 1993 has democratized policy decision making in ways that have engaged civil society actors via consultation and open public participation. The analysis of two cases (Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy I and Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy II) enables this study to determine if this perception is correct. I conclude that although a gradual shift to participatory decision making has occurred and improved policy processes and outcomes, it is bedeviled by several structural challenges that place premium on elite preferences to the neglect of those of unorganized and marginalized rural folk. This finding leaves important question marks surrounding some of the fundamental principles of the good governance mantra.