Browsing by Author "Opong-Fosu, Olivia"

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    Indigenous non governmental organizations’ contribution to rural development
    (2001) Opong-Fosu, Olivia
    Rural Development (RD) has become a priority on the agenda of governments in Third World Countries. In Ghana, Indigenous Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) have emerged in all development areas to complement government in her efforts to change the plight of rural people, which is mainly suffering and deprivation. TNGOs have adopted different approaches to RD and have used many approaches in their formulation, planning, decision making and implementation of projects. Seven (7) INGOs working to promote rural development in Ghana have been studied. Projects ranging from infrastructure, economic and social development have been carried out by these INGOs. The different development approaches by these INGOs have been examined through analysis of field data from surveys in different parts of the country. Development approaches adopted by these INGOs included Community Improvement Approach, Increased Agricultural Production Approach, Poverty Reduction Approach and Social Amenity Provision Approach Although Community participation is a favourite strategy of many NGOs, the analysis revealed that involvement of beneficiaries in the conception or formulation of the project is very minimal. INGOs often did not undertake post implementation evaluation of their activities. Also even when INGOs involved communities in project decision-making, it was based on the decision of a few leaders of the community Recommendations made included that development efforts of INGOs should be coordinated at district levels so as to avoid wastage and duplications. 1NGOs need to network to give a holistic approach to RD. Beneficiary involvement should be at all stages of the project cycle to ensure that beneficiaries felt needs are addressed. Assemblies’ coordinating role in 1NGO’s activities would lead to judicious use of limited resources for RD and whip up greater interest in INGOs activities by beneficiaries. The author hopes that this study will serve as a focal point from which further research will be carried out on strategies and work of INGOs in rural development.