Implementing Local Economic Development Initiatives: The Roles of Local Elected Representatives

As facilitators of development at the local government levels, the roles of local elected representatives (Assembly Members) cannot be overemphasized in local development affairs. This study investigates the roles of Assembly Members in local economic development (LED) implementation and how such functions relate to the successful implementation of LED programmes. The paper employed a qualitative research approach and gathered primary data from thirty-nine participants (15 elite interviews and 4 focus group discussions–6 participants in a group). Secondary data was sourced from public documents on LED. A thematic data analysis approach was used to analyze the data. La-Nkwantanang Madina Municipal Assembly was the study area. The findings of the study revealed that Assembly Members performed; deliberative roles, identification of local resources, leadership roles, and community mobilization functions, and thus, there is a positive nexus between the effective performance of the roles of Assembly Members and the success rate of LED implementation. The paper provides insight into the critical roles performed by Assembly Members in LED promotion and implementation at the local government level. It also extends the theoretical literature by exploring the endogenous growth theory which has been less explored in previous studies. Due to electoral areas’ representation, the study was limited to elected Assembly Members.