Determinants of Effectiveness of a Monitoring and Evaluation System for Projects Implementation: A Case of Non-Governmental Organizations in the Upper East Region of Ghana

Abstract

Donors in recent times have made monitoring and evaluation as assessment criteria for awarding projects to Non-Governmental Organisations. Monitoring and Evaluation practices are an integral part of the project cycle and of good management practice in development projects. The study sought to examine the determinants that influence the effectiveness of a monitoring and evaluation system for project implementation in the Non-Governmental Organisations in the Upper East region of Ghana. The research was guided by these objectives; to establish the extent to which availability of funds influence the effectiveness of M&E system, to assess the extent to which stakeholders’ participation influence the effectiveness of M&E system and to determine the extent to which organization leadership influences the effectiveness of M&E system. The study was guided by program theory, theory of change and the dynamic capabilities theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and employed mixed method approach to investigate the research problem. The study captured 136 top level staff of NGOs that included finance and administration, M&E and programme managers and the heads of the organisations. Both open and close ended questionnaire were used to collect primary data, interview guide was also used to capture qualitative data. The subject was investigated using a descriptive survey method that employs both qualitative and quantitative techniques to collect and analyze data using instruments such as questionnaires and interviews. Data collected was coded for data analysis using SPSS statistical package. The data were analyzed using correlation, linear regression, means, standard deviation, percentages and frequencies then presented using tables. The study confirmed that availability of funds, stakeholders’ participation and organizational leadership were critical influencing factors for the effectiveness of monitoring and evaluation of project implementations.