An Evaluation of Local Leadership Training in Community Development: A Case of Birim North District in Ghana

Abstract

Training has been acknowledged as an important tool for equipping local leaders with knowledge and skills to enable them to perform their role as development agents in their communities. In view of that, this study sought to explore how training transformed the local leaders to become catalyst for development in the Birim North District in Ghana. The research design used in this study was the summative evaluation research which involved the post-test design. The cluster sampling method was used to select communities in the district where local leaders reside. Those who participated in the habitat training programme were sampled for the study. Data was collected using questionnaire which were personally administered. The findings of the study suggest that participants acquired knowledge of all leadership styles to enable them to adopt the most appropriate style to reflect conditions within their environment. Secondly, trainees learned about implementation and evaluation of programmes and projects. Additionally, most of the trainees learned the brainstorming technique to enhance participatory decision-making and social integration in their localities. Besides, trainees acquired knowledge about participatory techniques that make adults active participants. Again, the findings indicate that trainees acquired knowledge of group discussion as a technique for evaluating programmes and projects in the district. Additionally, the study revealed that local leaders acquired knowledge of friendliness and dialoguing to strengthen their human relations.