Perceptions about community participation and the socio-economic impact of World Vision's poverty reduction interventions in the Assin North district of Ghana

Abstract

The study was aimed at finding out the perceptions about community participation in project initiation, project planning and designing and project implementation, monitoring and evaluation. It also seeks to find out the socio- economic impact or effects of world vision’s poverty reduction interventions in the Assin North District of Ghana. The study was conducted in four major local communities within the Assin North Districts namely: Assin Endwa, Assin Akropong, Assin Wurakesi and Assin Odumasi. These towns were selected based on the fact that World vision has carried out both their infrastructural projects and financial support programmes all ultimately aimed at helping to reduce poverty among the people in these areas. Although questionnaire was the main instrument used in the collection of data, observations and interview schedule were also used because of the low academic background of the beneficiaries (respondents). Non random sampling method was used to determine the actual respondents. On the core areas of the study, it was generally revealed that beneficiaries greatly participate in all aspects of project initiation, planning, designing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. However, respondents indicated that their participation in decisions involving finances was very low. In assessing the social and economic impact of world vissions’projects and programmes on beneficiaries, it was generally revealed that most beneficiaries recognise a little or moderate economic impact on their lives. Based on the outcome of this research, a number of recommendations were made