| ID | 174564 |
| Title Proper | Political transitions and commissions of inquiry |
| Other Title Information | the politicisation of accountability in Ghana |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Bob-Milliar, George M ; Nyaaba, Ali Yakubu |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | What role does a commission of inquiry (COI) play in delivering accountability? In theory, when the public delegates power to political leaders to formulate and implement policies, they seek political accountability in return. Using Ghana as a case study, this study examines how the operations of COIs may deliver accountability. Principal–agent theories of accountability and African conceptions of legitimacy are incomplete on their own and need to be integrated into an explanation of political accountability that takes into consideration political transitions and the role of COIs in delivering a minimalist form of accountability. This study argues that a COI is an instrument of regime legitimatisation. The demands by citizens for political accountability in Ghana correlate with political transitions. Accompanying each power alternation was a different model of political accountability. To understand the predominant applications of accountability, we emphasise the politicisation of accountability. |
| `In' analytical Note | Third World Quarterly Vol. 41, No.10; 2020: p.1758-1775 |
| Journal Source | Third World Quarterly Vol: 41 No 10 |
| Key Words | Political Accountability ; Commission of Inquiry ; Principal–Agent Theories ; African Conceptions Of Legitimacy ; Legitimatisation Of Power ; Two-Party Politics |