Graduate School of International Studies Ajou University
Description
학위논문(석사)--Graduate School of International Studies Ajou University :국제개발협력과,2015. 8
Alternative Abstract
ABSTRACT
Local governments are becoming more numerous in developing countries and are increasingly required to play larger roles in providing social services, alleviating poverty, and facilitating development (Mitlin 2000). The Cameroon constitution lends a strong hand to local governments as key to achieving rural development and poverty reduction. Achieving this is how ever premised on the basis that local authorities would function effectively. However, the study reveals that there are still challenges that appear to limit the achievements of the states benefits of local governance in Cameroon.
Using the experience of Cameroon, the thesis focuses on the local government institutions of the SW city of Kumba. It thus adopts a case study approach and is basically designed to examine the reasons why the Local Governments failed in their development efforts to transform Kumba in to a modern vibrant community. By answering this question, the thesis examines the nature/system of the local government and how its functions lead to rural community development, by looking at local community development projects or an initiative implemented by the local government institutions and analyzes the usefulness of these initiatives to the local communities. The thesis examines the level of community participation as the main problem of Local Governments failure, and further analyses other reasons why the local government failed to develop Kumba. Lastly it provides some strategies put in place to effectively carry out decentralized community development. The results of the study reveal that power has not been devolved in its entirety from the central government to the decentralized units and that the rural masses do not participate fully in the development of Kumba.
