Participatory Communication for Sustainable Development: A Study of the Access Project in Ghana

Participatory communication has become a buzzword in the field of communication and development for decades. It focuses on the involvement of communities at various stages of project development. The local government statutes in Ghana require the active participation of community members in any project, especially projects that affect their well-being. The present study explores the extent to which participatory communication occurs in relation to the Access Project, a project funded by the US government under the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and implemented by the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA). The study uses qualitative methods of interviews and focus group discussions. The result shows beneficiaries of the project actively participated at all stages of the project. Participants were fully empowered in the decision-making process as communication occurred through a bottom-up approach. The study suggests the need for a wider exploration of the extent of community participation in various projects funded by international bodies/governments.