Level of Stakeholder Engagement and Participation in Monitoring and Evaluation of Construction Projects in Ghana

Abstract

Globally, the construction industry is acknowledged as complex and capital intensive. The need for transparency in monitoring and evaluation to promote organizational learning and accountability in project delivery cannot be overemphasized, hence the need for stakeholder engagement and participation. This paper reports on the level of stakeholder engagement in project delivery and participation in monitoring and evaluation of public construction projects in Ghana. Both structured interview guide and questionnaire schedule were used to collect relevant data for the study. A desk review of journal articles, books, conference proceedings, published and unpublished thesis work from the institutions’ database and internet sources relevant to the study ware adopted to underpin the study. Project implementation minutes and meeting attendance were also perused. Data was descriptively analyzed. Six key stakeholders were identified in local government project delivery in Ghana. It was evident from the study that there was a high level of stakeholder engagement in project delivery whiles participation of stakeholders in monitoring and evaluation of public projects at the local government level was very poor. This was attributed to lack of knowledge, understanding, involvement and time devoted for monitoring and evaluation of projects by stakeholders. In conclusion, the poor participation of stakeholders in monitoring and evaluation of local government project delivery may have contributed to the many challenges faced in local government project delivery in Ghana. These challenges included procurement lapses which resulted in bad payment schedules, non-conformity to project specification, delayed project delivery, lack of health and safety compliance, client's dissatisfaction, and corrupt practices in the construction industry. The study advocates for participatory monitoring and evaluation through stakeholder management at the local government level project delivery. This can be promoted through community based development project (CBDP) delivery. The study contributes to the body of knowledge on the level of stakeholder engagement and participation in monitoring and evaluation and its implication in local government project delivery in Ghana.