The Dynamics of Failing Service Delivery in Nigeria and Ghana

Abstract

This article compares the quality of service delivery in Nigeria and Ghana in the areas of healthcare, food provision and access to clean water and sanitation. Its first finding is that public service delivery in the two countries has been perceived as inadequate and deteriorating for over a decade. Therefore, this paper concludes that Nigeria and Ghana are lagging behind in the provision of basic public services for their citizens and need to re-orient their service delivery. Governments in sub-Saharan countries are working with donor agencies at the forefront of combating poverty through a number of interventions to improve the delivery of public services. Notwithstanding these good intentions, few results have been achieved so far, especially considering the massive investment made in attempts to reduce poverty in this region.

The outcomes of this research suggest a strong relationship between household satisfaction and problems experienced in service delivery in these areas. They also show that satisfaction with public service delivery involves more than government performance. Political, geographical and demographic factors are also important predictors.