CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS (CSOs) PARTICIPATION IN POLICY IMPLEMENTATION ON POVERTY REDUCTION: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF NIGERIA AND GHANA

Abstract

The paper examines the people’s perceptions of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) participation in policy implementation on poverty reduction: A comparative analysis of Nigeria and Ghana. This interrogation is necessary in order to improve the performance of CSOs and participate in the poverty reduction policies in Nigeria by borrowing a leave from Ghana. For proper analysis, key informant interview was carried out and relevant literatures were also reviewed. The paper revealed that efforts have been made by the CSOs to influence government policies on poverty reduction in Nigeria and Ghana for the benefit of the people but Ghana has made more progress. Despite poverty level has decreased in both countries; there is still much suffering in their rural areas. It is worst in Nigeria because of corruption, insurgencies and economic recession. The CSOs in both countries faced repressions and manipulation over the years. From 1990s Ghana CSOs enjoyed symbolic relationship with the state while its Nigeria counterpart struggle for space. The paper recommends that there is need for the governments in both countries to do more by ensuring CSOs participation in policy decisions on poverty reduction. The Nigeria government should borrow a leave from Ghana on building more relationship and partnership with CSOs on policies on poverty reduction. There should be collaborations and consultations between the government and the “major groups” at local levels on policy issues. The CSOs and the target beneficiary should be allowed to take joint ownership of policy decisions, processes and implementation to ensure accountability and transparency in order to reduce poverty in Nigeria and Ghana especially in their rural areas.