Basic 8 · Social Studies · Community Decision-Making Process
Community Decision-Making and Volunteerism
In this topic you will describe how decisions are made in Ghanaian communities and discuss the relevance of volunteerism to community development.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Describe the community decision-making process
- Identify groups who make community decisions
- Discuss the relevance of volunteerism
What you already know
- The role of individuals in the community
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Sense Of Purpose
- Sub-strand
- Community Decision-Making Process
- Indicator
- B8.3.2.1.1 – Describe the community decision-making process
Introduction
Where should a new borehole go? How should market tolls be spent? In a good community, these decisions are not made by just one person.
1. Who Makes Decisions?
| Group | Role |
|---|---|
| chief and elders | decide on land, custom and disputes |
| queen mother | advises and speaks for women |
| assembly member | represents the community at the assembly |
| unit committee | handles local issues and mobilises people |
| district assembly | makes bye-laws and plans development |
| School Management Committee | oversees the school |
| opinion leaders | influence and advise others |
2. Traditional Decision-Making
In many Ghanaian communities, the chief does not decide alone. He sits in council with elders, who represent various clans. Issues are discussed at length until the group reaches an agreement, a method known as consensus. The okyeame, or linguist, among the Akan, carries the chief's words to people and theirs to him. A chief who ignores his people's views may be removed, or destooled. This shows that traditional rule includes checks on power.
3. Local Government
Ghana's local government system works through Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, or MMDAs. In each assembly, 70% of the members are elected, and 30% are appointed by the President in consultation with traditional authorities and others. Elections for assembly members are non-partisan, so candidates do not stand for political parties. Assemblies raise money from rates and fees, make bye-laws and prepare development plans. Citizens can attend town hall meetings and question leaders about how public money is being used.
4. Steps in Decision-Making
- Identify the problem.
- Collect facts and views.
- List the possible options.
- Discuss each option.
- Reach a decision by consensus or voting.
- Carry out the decision.
- Review the results.
5. Why Participation Matters
Decisions are stronger when many people help to make them. People are more likely to support and look after projects they helped to plan. Women, young people and persons with disabilities are sometimes left out of decision-making, yet they have important knowledge and needs. Fair communities seek out all voices. When a decision is made fairly, those who disagree can more easily accept it.
New words
- consensus
- General agreement within a group.
- destool
- To remove a chief from office.
- non-partisan
- Not linked to a political party.
- participation
- Taking part in activities.
Summary
- Chiefs, elders, assemblies and committees make community decisions.
- Traditional leaders aim for consensus and can be removed.
- Decision-making follows steps, and all voices matter.
Class activity: Mock Town Hall
- Choose a community issue.
- Hold a meeting with chief, assembly member and residents.
- Reach and record a decision.
You need: Printed photograph of a Ghanaian community meeting, Talking-stick prop, Local newspaper
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. General agreement within a group is…
- A. consensus
- B. conflict
- C. a riot
- D. a strike
Show answer
Answer: consensusAgreement.2. What share of assembly members are elected?
- A. 70%
- B. 30%
- C. 50%
- D. 100%
Show answer
Answer: 70%Local government.3. A chief can be destooled.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueChecks.4. The Akan linguist is called the ______.
Show answer
Answer: okyeameChief's spokesperson.5. List four steps in decision-making.
Show answer
Answer: Identify the problem, gather facts, discuss options and decide.Any four.6. Why should women and young people take part in decisions?
Show answer
Answer: They have needs and knowledge, and fair decisions are more accepted.Inclusion.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Sense Of Purpose
- Sub-strand
- Volunteerism
- Indicator
- B8.3.1.1.2 – Discuss the relevance of volunteerism to community development
Introduction
Many of the great things in communities are done by people who are not paid for them.
1. What Is Volunteerism?
Volunteerism: Giving your time and skills freely to help others without expecting payment.
Volunteers act from free will. They may be teaching children to read, cleaning a market or donating blood. Volunteerism is different from paid work and from compulsory service. Ghana's National Service Scheme requires graduates to work for a year, so it is not strictly volunteering, though it shares the same spirit of serving the country. Communal labour, or "nnoboa" among the Akan, where farmers help each other on their farms, shows that volunteering has deep roots in Ghanaian culture.
2. Examples of Volunteer Work
| Group | Work |
|---|---|
| Ghana Red Cross Society | first aid and disaster relief |
| National Sanitation Day participants | community clean-up |
| Scouts and Girl Guides | service and character building |
| blood donors | save lives in hospitals |
| religious groups | feed the needy and visit the sick |
| community tutors | teach children after school |
3. Benefits of Volunteerism
| For the community | For the volunteer |
|---|---|
| saves money on projects | builds skills and experience |
| improves services | makes new friends |
| strengthens unity | gives a sense of purpose |
| helps vulnerable people | improves job prospects |
| supports development | builds character |
A community that repairs its own school instead of waiting for the government can make the changes it wants quickly. Volunteers also fill gaps left by limited public resources. Those who volunteer often report feeling happier, and employers value volunteer experience.
4. Challenges
Volunteer work has its challenges. People may be busy, and some feel the government should do these jobs. Poor planning may discourage people, and some projects stop when the enthusiasm runs out. Volunteers should get training, safety equipment and recognition. It is also important not to replace paid workers unfairly. Good leadership, clear goals and fairness will keep volunteers motivated.
5. How Young People Can Volunteer
- Join a school club, the Scouts or the Red Cross Link.
- Help to clean your school and community.
- Teach younger children.
- Help the elderly and those with disabilities.
- Share health and safety messages.
Always tell your parents or guardians where you are going, and work with trusted groups. Safety comes first, and you should not be asked to do dangerous work.
New words
- volunteer
- A person who works freely without pay.
- nnoboa
- Akan mutual help in farm work.
- blood donor
- A person who gives blood.
- motivate
- To encourage someone to act.
Summary
- Volunteers give time and skills freely.
- Volunteerism benefits both the community and the volunteer.
- Young people can volunteer safely through trusted groups.
Class activity: Volunteer Day
- Plan a simple volunteer task for your school.
- Assign roles.
- Carry it out and report back.
You need: Printed photograph of a Ghanaian community meeting, Talking-stick prop, Local newspaper
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. A volunteer works…
- A. without pay, by free choice
- B. only for high pay
- C. only by force
- D. never
Show answer
Answer: without pay, by free choiceDefinition.2. Which organisation gives first aid and disaster relief?
- A. Ghana Red Cross Society
- B. Bank of Ghana
- C. WAEC
- D. GRIDCo
Show answer
Answer: Ghana Red Cross SocietyRelief.3. Volunteering builds skills.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueExperience.4. Akan mutual help on farms is called ______.
Show answer
Answer: nnoboaTradition.5. Give two benefits of volunteerism to a community.
Show answer
Answer: It saves money and improves services.Any two.6. Why is the National Service Scheme not strictly volunteering?
Show answer
Answer: It is required of graduates, while volunteering is a free choice.Definition.
Homework
- Do one volunteer activity this week and write about it.