Accountability between parliamentarians and constituents. A case study of Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro constituency in Ghana.

Abstract

There is a wide disconnect between legislators and their constituents in Ghana. As such, this study sought to examine the forms of accountability and their impact on voting behaviour in the Bortianor Ngleshie Amanfro Constituency. The study reveals that constituents’ expectations of MPs are multifaceted and extend beyond legislative functions to include social amenities and personal assistance. Campaign promises of parliamentary candidates exacerbate these expectations. The study used the explorative case study design within the qualitative approach. The study purposively sampled 32 informants for interviews and focus group discussions using semistructured interview guide and focus group discussion guide respectively. Data were analysed through the thematic analysis procedure. The results demonstrate that campaign promises by parliamentary candidates have contributed to the largely unbearable accountability demands they receive from constituents in the constituency. Additionally, the study found that constituents’ expectations outweigh what parliamentarians could offer in the accountability relationship. The study also identifies strategies used by parliamentarians to make themselves accountable to constituents, including indirect accountability through local elites. This study establishes that parliamentary candidates in the constituency rather prefer to work through local party officials, chiefs and religious leaders in their accountability strategies. Crucially, the study finds that parliamentary candidates rely on these local vote brokers to secure their parliamentary office. The study also recommends that parliamentary candidates should capture issues within their legislative functions during campaign tours to reduce the accountability demands they fa