Abstract

The fiscal constraints imposed by structural adjustment and foreign lenders, as well as a demand for greater political participation, have provided an impetus for change in the way that African states are governed. In particular, the policies of privatization and decentralization have shifted many functions previously considered the responsibility of the state on to local communities. This gives traditional leaders, who are located at the nexus between the local community and the state, a unique opportunity to redefine their roles. This research project will explore ways in which the role of traditional leaders can be enhanced so as to enable them to create, in partnership with the state, social policies that are responsive to both the traditional and dynamic needs of the community.

The overall objective is to analyze the role and contribution of traditional leaders in three countries (Botswana, Ghana and South Africa) to selected social policy reform processes in education, health and land tenure. Based on a comparative analysis of the situation in the three countries, researchers will propose policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the responsiveness, effectiveness and equity of selected social policies. The research results will be disseminated over the Internet via the Traditional Authority Applied Research Network (TAARN) and through publications. Expected beneficiaries will be traditional leaders, state officials, political leaders, community leaders, marginalized groups, such as women and the rural poor, and the community at large. The research project will be conducted on the basis of an institutional partnership involving the University of Calgary, Canada; the University of Science and Technology, Ghana; the University of Durban-Westville, South Africa; and the University of Botswana, Botswana.

Recipient Institution(s)