Budgetary practices as instruments of economic development in the Third World: an evaluational case study of Ghana's budgetary practices

Budgeting in Ghana, not unlike that in any other country in the world, could be an important instrument for effecting economic development (ED) policies. As a numerical expression of the intended distribution of national public resources, it is a multifaceted phenomenon that reflects political and administrative decision making. Much evidence in the Third-World literature on budgeting and ED asserts that ED policies can be most effectively implemented when there is a systematic interrelation and coordination between budgeting and ED policies. The position taken in this dissertation goes beyond that assertion.

Specifically, this dissertation posits, in addition to the systematic interrelationship and coordination between budgeting and ED policies, that ED policies should be systematically integrated with development administration and human-resource development. The dissertation evaluates Ghana's budgetary practices and policies as they affect the country's ED programs. Because these practices and policies are not systematically coordinated and integrated with ED policies, the study highlights and examines the dilemmas facing those who attempt to stimulate effective ED in Ghana, and it recommends changes.