Investigating the Modes of Communication: A Study of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly

ABSTRACT 

The Local Government system in Ghana has gradually extended its boundaries in terms of its capacity as in governance and application of communication. This study is to determine the communication modes used in the Local Governance System in the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly in its interactions with the Local people in the Community. A qualitative approach based on the case study design was used for the investigation. Data were collected and analysed using in-depth interviews and focus group interviews; and analysis of data was conducted using the two-step and participatory communication theories as the theoretical framework. The in-depth interview was conducted with some key officials of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and some of the Honourable Assembly Members. The Focus group, on the other hand, was conducted among five (5) groups with eight (8) members within a group and these were the people who have stayed in the community for a very long time and understood the phenomenon understudied. The study therefore used the purposive sampling techniques where the research participants were intentionally selected and they provided useful information that met the purpose for the study. The study found that the assembly employed a number of means to communicate with the people in the Kumasi metropolis. It was revealed that the process of the assembly’s activities with the local people in the various communities lack adequate communal spirit that can effectively lead to empowerment of the local people in the daily Governance structure. These impediments finally lead to and subvert of Local people and Community involvement in Local Governance, the key to a successful Decentralize Governance Structure.