Decentralisation, entrepreneurialism and democratization processes in urban governance in Tamale, Ghana

A concept of urban governance involving decentralization, entrepreneurialism and democracy (DED), and designed to promote sustainable and inclusive urban development, is proposed as an instrument of participatory, multi-stakeholder engagements and relationships, on the one hand, and the alignment of policy with gaps that emerge from practice, on the other. This concept is used to assess urban governance practices in Tamale, Ghana. The study identified substantial policy–practice gaps, especially with respect to the application of decentralization and democratic governance principles, although entrepreneurism made clear contributions to the development in particular of informal sectors that dominate the city’s economy.