Gervin Chanase

// DISSERTATION PROJECT

Critical Local Partners or Proxies: A Case Study of Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Participation in Decentralized (Agricultural) Governance in Northern Ghana.

This research study focuses on examining the effects of international donor funding on local (agro-based) non-governmental organizations (NGOs) capacity as catalysts in promoting citizen-led participation within the decentralized governance framework of Northern Ghana. The investigation centers on the multifaceted dynamics inherent in the funding relationship between international donors and local NGOs and how these dynamics subsequently shape the capabilities and functions of the latter in fostering citizen engagement within decentralized governance systems. To comprehensively understand these dynamics, the study draws upon the integration of two key theoretical frameworks: the Resource Dependency Theory (RDT) and the Indirect Governance Theory (IGT). This theoretical integration allows the exploration of how donor funding may affect local NGOs’ autonomy, strategic choices, ability, and overall capacity to foster citizen engagement. The study employs a most similar system case study design to provide a nuanced understanding of the impact of the funding relationship with international donors on the capacity of local (agro-based) NGOs to effectively facilitate citizen-led participation in decentralized governance in  Northern Ghana.

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// ACADEMIC BACKGROUND   

Education

since 2023
Doctoral Member at Bamberg Graduate School of Social Studies

2011 – 2013
Master of Arts in Global Studies, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Programme, the University of Leipzig (Germany), University of Vienna (Austria), University of California, Santa Barbara (USA)

2010 – 2011
Master of Arts in Development and Governance, University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany

2004 – 2008
Bachelor's Degree in Geography & Resource Development and Political Science, University of Ghana

Awards / Academic Achievements and Scholarships

since 2023
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Graduate School Scholarship Programme (GSSP)
Bamberg Graduate School of Social Sciences, 2023- date

2011 - 2013
Erasmus Mundus Master in Global Studies (EMGS), Joint Master Degree (EMJMD)

2010 - 2011
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Helmut Schmidt Program (Public Policy and Good Governance, PPGG)

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// PUBLICATIONS
 

Gervin C. (2023), Exploring the potential effects of international donor funding on local NGO mission creep in Ghana, Journal of African Political Economy and Development, 2023;12:1–8 Available at: https://afec-japed.org/sites/default/files/2024-09/Chanase_Donor%20funding%20of%20NGOs%20and%20mission%20creep.pdf

Gervin. C & Charles K.V (2022): “The Value of Social Capital in Resourcing Community Development in Africa,”  WACSeries, Issue Paper, Vol. 8, Issue 1.

Greijn et al. (2022): “Shift the power - How to Work Towards a More Equal and Just International Development Cooperation System.” Partos

Chanase, G. (2021). Shift the Power - Ghanaian NGOs at the Crossroads of Relinquishing Power to Local Communities, WACSeries, Issue Paper, Vol. 7, Issue 9.

Chanase, G. (2021): “Applying New Public Management Principles Towards the Strengthening of the Non-Profit Sector in Africa,”  WACSeries, Issue Paper, Vol. 7, Issue 8-August 2021.

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// EXPERIENCE

2018 - 2022
Programme Officer, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning- West Africa Institute for Civil Society (WACSI)

2016 - 2017
Civil Society & Advocacy Coordinator, USAID Northern Ghana Governance Activity, SEND Ghana

2014 - 2016
Rural Advocacy Specialist, USAID Agricultural Development and Value Chain Enhancement (ADVANCE) Project

2013 - 2014
Intern, Hanns Seidel Stiftung, West Africa Office

2009 - 2010
National Service Person, Office of Parliament Ghana

Professional Affiliations

Member of the International Programme for Development Evaluation (IPDET), Switzerland

Member of the Knowledge Network of the United Nations Office of the Special Advisor to Africa

Change the Game Academy Master Trainer, Wilde Ganzen, Netherlands

Trainee Candidate,United States Institute of Peace Conflict Management Training for Peacekeepers Program

Certified Online Learning Facilitator (COLF), United Kingdom

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Image Credits: © Bamberg Graduate School of Social Sciences