Small Towns in Ghana: Justifications for their Promotion under Ghana's Decentralisation Programme

摘要: Abstract: A key objective of Ghana's decentralization programme is the promotion small towns, particularly district capitals, as a means reducing rural-urban migration and rapid growth large towns cities. While have grown significantly in both number population over last three decades, proportion total urban living these centres has changed very little or even declined slightly. This contradicts view that proliferation leading to declining rates larger centres. conclusion leads question whether there justification for under programme. article examines reasons accounting concludes promoting especially capitals current programme, positive response rural development dispersed urbanization long term. INTRODUCTION The process Ghana, like much Africa not recent phenomenon. Its origin predates arrival Europeans colonization. (1) However, while scale during this period was quite small, assumed new impetus dynamism European colonisation introduction Western economic enterprise with its market economy which favoured concentration. (2) colonial post-colonial investment strategies informed by basic criteria investing regions exploitable exportable resources, subsequent provision infrastructure such areas attracted relative other parts country. (3) Areas southern Ghana climates suited introduced cash crops, timber exploitation mining sites closer coast ports benefited from investments. (4) More significantly, activities extent enhanced concentration existing developed collecting points locally produced commodities, administrative communication Northern virtue location received less Furthermore, presence on also led reorientation trade routes, affecting northern had result trans-Saharan between West Islamised states Africa. are broad forces intensified itself, Africa, been characterised predominance few It trend drawn attention planners because perceived detrimental impact spatial As result, various planning implemented aim polarisation producing more balanced hierarchical settlement pattern. most notable included pole concept integrated programmes (IRDP) designed stimulate curtail migration. (5) failed alter In years, attempts at transforming hierarchy least rate cities centred development. (6) Though town strategy new, what here link decentralization. increasing transfer resources authority level expected enhance and, particular, promote attractive potential migrants. …