Streamlining monitoring and evaluation systems in managing social development interventions: a study of Ahafo mine area livelihood programmes.

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Date
May, 2015
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Abstract
Monitoring and Evaluation as a discipline, is increasingly recognized as an essential component in project management functions (Khalid, 2002). However, consciously or otherwise development programmes are faced with limited integration of monitoring and evaluation systems in the management functions to gauge its performance. This key planning and implementation weaknesses poses key challenges to the management functions of development programmes including livelihood programmes (Khan, 2003). The study therefore seeks to examine the extent to which monitoring and evaluation systems of development programmes adopts standard practices. The study adopted a case study approach where three livelihood programmes operating within the Asutifi District were chosen. Programme Managers, Staff, beneficiaries and key institutional stakeholders were selected as respondents for the study. The study revealed that, monitoring and evaluation systems of some livelihood programmes lacks critical tools like robust database, review and capacity building plans were found to be absent. Also it was revealed that some programmes operate without trained monitoring and evaluation practitioners. Despite these shortfalls the study affirmed that the practice of M&E influences programme decisions leading to reforms in the programme components. Also, the study identified a high level of stakeholder participation –groups and institutions supporting the implementation of the programme. It is therefore recommended for policy designs on programme monitoring and evaluation that programme managers should be obliged to include the design of a robust database for data iv capture and retrieval, review and capacity building plans in the set-up of programme monitoring and evaluation systems as the concept keeps evolving. Again, development programmes should engage the services of trained practitioners directly on programmes to coordinate the monitoring and evaluation activities of the programmes.
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A Thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master Of Philosophy In Development Studies Department of Planning College of Architecture and Planning May, 2015
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