MA (Development Management)

RATIONALE FOR THE PROGRAMME
Efforts to decentralize development decision making to local levels in Ghana started in the late 1980s. The essence of the decentralisation was to ensure, among other things, that development reflects the aspirations of the local people and to empower local communities to effectively participate in the decision-making processes that relate to the development management at the local levels.

The achievement of the above objectives depends largely on effective and efficient management of institutional structures and available resources at the local level. Personnel who manage these local level institutions and resources need to be equipped with managerial skills to make them pro-active in decision-making and policy initiation.

The need to equip local development personnel with managerial skills is very much appreciated by the Centre for Development Studies (CDS). The CDS runs a number of sandwich programmes, which are targeted at people working in the District Assemblies, NGOs and other Governance and Development related organizations. In January 2005, the CDS conducted a Training Needs Assessment (TNA) of the District Assemblies with funding support from NUFFIC/ NPT. The Training Needs Assessment revealed a number of areas where staff of the District Assemblies lacked expertise. Some of these areas are:

• Collaboration and coordination
• Conflict resolution
• Proposal / report writing
• Research
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Project management
• Advocacy and networking
• Revenue mobilization
• Communication
• Leadership
• Human relations
• Civic education
• Community entry
• Time management

Consequently, the CDS designed and mounted a Master of Arts programme of study – The Governance and Sustainable Development (GSD) Programme. The GSD Programme however did not capture issues related to development management since the concentration was mostly on governance and sustainable development issues. As a result, the above areas where the staff lacked expertise were not adequately captured. It has therefore become necessary to introduce a programme to complement the Governance and Sustainable Development Programme.

As a result of the need to complement the GSD programme, a Master of Arts (M.A) in Development Management has been conceived by the CDS. The proposed programme is intended to improve on the management of development at the local level. Following a meeting held with the representatives of the District Assemblies, indications are that the staffs of the District Assemblies are very willing to participate in the proposed programme. In view of this, the programme is intended to be part of the regular university calendar.

GOAL/OBJECTIVES 
The principal goal of the programme is to contribute to the development of human resource and capacity building by providing immediate technical skills and competences for District Assembly staff, and the staff of NGOs and other relevant organisations/institutions at the local level.

The main objective is to:
Equip the students with technical knowledge and skills for the management of development issues in a sustainable way.

By the end of the programme of study, students should be able to:
1.    Understand the key concepts in Development Management.
2.    Apply the skills essential for resolving pertinent societal issues relating to gender, governance, conflict resolution and resource management.
3.    Work as team players to facilitate the management of the development process.
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT
The programme is expected to commence in August, 2008 and will join the regular university calendar.  

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
In order to be eligible for admission, candidates must:

• Have a bachelor’s degree ( with at least second Class Lower Division)
• Have a minimum of two years working experience in a related field
• Pass an interview

Special Cases:

• Non-Degree holders, including traditional rulers, who have at least 5 years working experience in development management at the local/district level and who are at least 45 years old are eligible to apply.  Such individuals must hold at least a Diploma from a recognised institution.
• All special case candidates must also pass an interview.

The programme is on fee-paying basis. The fees will be determined by the University and will be revised from time to time.

TARGET GROUP

This programme is targeted at:

• Staff of District Assemblies and their sub-structures
• Staff of Decentralized Departments
• International organisations, Public institutions, NGOs, CSOs, etc.
• Traditional Institutions

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
In order to qualify for the award of the M.A. in Development Management, the student must pass all the courses that will be run, with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5.  In the second semester, the student would have to take two elective courses in addition to the two compulsory courses. There will be a third semester within which the student must produce a dissertation of a minimum of sixty (60) pages of actual body of work and a maximum of 80 pages. This must be submitted before a panel of examiners. The total number of credit shall be thirty (30). The programme shall be completed in fifteen (15) months.

FIRST SEMESTER

SECOND SEMESTER

THIRD SEMESTER

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

DMT 501 – Concepts of Development and Underdevelopment                      (3 Credits)
The course examines the conceptual underpinnings of development and underdevelopment and how these impinge on development management. In addition, the course focuses on the meaning of development and underdevelopment as well as approaches to development.

DMT 502 – Project Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation       (3 Credits)
This course deals with the skills needed for managing the implementation of development projects and how to effectively monitor and evaluate projects. The discussions focus on the approaches to and the tools for project implementation as well as project management and supervision.

DMT 503 - Strategic Development and Project Planning                                (3 Credits)
In this course, the strategic elements in project planning and how they can be used in development management are highlighted. Also to be discussed are project modelling and forecasting as well as impact assessment.

DMT 504 – Strategic Leadership and Communication Skills                          (3 Credits)
This course deals with the approaches to leadership and the dynamics of leadership in development management. The importance of communication in leadership as well as ethics and professionalism in the management of development projects are also discussed.

DMT 505 – Development Finance                                                                    (3 Credits)
The course examines financial management and its importance in development management. In addition, the course focuses on fund raising and investment appraisals. Also to be examined are medium term expenditure plans and procurement procedures including the review of relevant legislation.