Title: Community Participation Can Deliver Positive Outcomes for Poor People
Author/Institution: EA Yankson – University of Cape Coast
Publication Year: 2021
The 2021 dissertation by EA Yankson, Community Participation Can Deliver Positive Outcomes for Poor People, examines how participatory governance mechanisms influence local development in resource-dependent regions. Drawing on empirical research in Ghana, the study analyzes the extent to which involving communities in project planning, decision-making, and monitoring can improve service delivery, enhance transparency, and create trust between governments, companies, and citizens. Yankson underscores that participation is not merely symbolic—it can directly affect how resources are allocated and how benefits are shared, particularly in contexts where extractive industries dominate local economies.
The research highlights that meaningful participation requires more than consultation meetings; it demands institutionalized channels that allow communities, especially marginalized groups—to voice their priorities and monitor outcomes. Through case studies of mining and infrastructure projects, the study finds that when communities are genuinely engaged, project outcomes tend to align better with local needs, improving perceptions of fairness and legitimacy. Conversely, when participation is limited to tokenistic exercises, frustration grows, undermining trust and fueling conflict.
This analysis resonates strongly with current debates on the social license to operate (LTO) in Africa and Latin America, where stakeholder inclusion has become a prerequisite for stable investment environments. The findings reinforce that companies and governments cannot rely solely on fiscal redistribution or corporate social responsibility; they must embed participation into governance structures. For ongoing mining reforms in Ghana and broader efforts across the Global South, Yankson’s work provides clear evidence that institutionalized participation is a cornerstone of development legitimacy and a safeguard against community resistance.
Issue Profile – Community Participation and Development Legitimacy
Lead Actor: Local communities, governments, and mining companies in Ghana
Focus: The role of genuine community participation in shaping development outcomes and legitimacy of resource projects
Update (2021): Dissertation evidence shows that institutionalized participation—beyond tokenistic consultation—improves project alignment with community needs, strengthens trust, and enhances local development benefits
Strategic Significance: Demonstrates that sustaining social license to operate requires not only revenue sharing but also structured participation channels that give communities real influence in decisions and monitoring