Development through civic service

Abstract

This study expands the limited academic literature on development through civic service in Africa by examining national service programmes in Ghana. Peace Corps publications, volunteer memoirs and archival research were used to examine intra-organizational learning in Ghana's national service programmes and the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps and Ghana's National Service Scheme have generally met educational, cross-cultural understanding and self-development objectives, but, due to overriding organizational concerns with public image, have rarely enhanced patriotism or Ghanaian national development, despite abundant comments from individual volunteers. Improved organizational learning could enhance programme assessment and the effectiveness of development assistance at the national level.