Village Work: Development and Rural Statecraft in Twentieth-Century Ghana

Village Work is a powerful historical case study that demonstrates how village development became central to the rhetoric and practice of statecraft in rural Ghana. It combines oral histories with archival material to show that developmentalism was jointly constructed through interactions between governments and the governed, and that unremunerated labor and demonstrations of local leadership have remained central tools by which rural Ghanaians have interacted with the state.

Format: Hardback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 28 May 2021
Publisher: Ohio University Press

A comprehensive historical case study that showcases the pivotal role of village development in the rhetoric and practice of statecraft in rural Ghana. By integrating oral histories with extensive archival materials spanning several decades, Village Work offers a sweeping account of twentieth-century statecraft, focusing on the daily endeavors of rural individuals, local officials, and family networks rather than the dominant narratives of national governments and grandiose plans that often shape development stories. Through meticulous research, Wiemers demonstrates that developmentalism was not solely imposed by governments on their subjects but rather emerged through collaborative interactions between these entities. This groundbreaking book contributes to the fields of development and statecraft in Africa and the Global South by highlighting the fragmented, contingent, and often improvisational nature of both development and the state. It offers fresh perspectives on longstanding debates about developmental power and discourse, challenging conventional notions about how and by whom states are formed. By shedding light on the significance of unpaid labor in mediating relationships between governments and the governed, the book unveils the complexities of state engagement and its potential to both exacerbate and disrupt existing inequalities. Despite significant political transformations throughout the twentieth century, including the imposition and collapse of colonial rule, nationalist aspirations for pan-African solidarity and modernization, multiple military coups, and the emergence of neoliberal austerity policies, unremunerated labor and displays of local leadership have remained essential tools employed by rural Ghanaians in their interactions with the state. The book's analysis is rooted in decades of ongoing negotiations over budgets and bureaucracy, providing a rich tapestry of stories that illustrate the decisions made by developers regarding the design and implementation of projects. Through these narratives, Village Work sheds light on the complex dynamics and power struggles that shape rural development in Ghana and beyond, offering valuable insights into the intricate relationships between state, society, and the individual.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780821424452