Analysing the effectiveness of European Union Microprojects Programme: a case study of Asunafo District
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Date
2000-01-29
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Abstract
Debate and research on effectiveness of development efforts have come to the fore in recent years, as foreign aid has not been able to achieve the desired development levels envisaged. This study was driven by the desire to join in the research on the effectiveness of development assistance. The micro project programme, is the single largest foreign financial arrangement for rural development in Ghana.
The objective of this study therefore is to examine the effectiveness of the micro projects in the promotion of development in the beneficiary communities. Effectiveness was measured by participation, sustainability and impact. The study focused on local factors that determine effectiveness.
Investigations were carried out in six communities in Asunafo district on six projects. The projects are: oil processing plant; a borehole; a rural clinic; a community library and a junior secondary school. Secondary sources of information used in the study included European Union reports, and other related literature on development assistance, and rural development.
The study established that, micro projects programme has been able to provide Asunafo District with large number of projects within a short time. However, the effectiveness of some micro projects are questionable. In terms of participation, opinion leaders dominate the identification process of micro projects. This dominance lends itself to a situation where projects identified were not always the true priorities of the people. Most projects are under-utilised, while others are used for different purposes.
The recommendations are based on theoretical logic and empirical research of similar projects. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the search for making development assistance effective.
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A thesis submitted to the Board of Postgraduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Development Planning and Management, 2000