Mr Stephen J. Kilasi has been working as an assistant lecturer at Ruaha University College since 2008. He holds MA degree in Development Studies from University of Dar es Salaam. He also holds a BA in Sociology from University of Dar es Salaam. He has research interests in the areas of community participation, public project planning and management and decentralization.

PHD TOPIC: THE PARTICIPATORY APPROACH OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN GHANA. THE CASE OF DONOR FUNDED COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Despite the advocates and efforts made by international organizations, governments, development partners and local organizations in mainstreaming community participation in development donor funded projects in Africa, particularly in Ghana, the estimated project outputs are unsatisfactory. For more than 20 years, the participation of poor and marginalized people in development initiatives intended to benefit them has been acknowledged as important in achieving sustainable development.

The study aims to examine the impact of mainstreaming community participation in relation to projects success and sustainability of public development projects funded by donor agencies.