REDUCING POVERTY IN NORTHERN GHANA THROUGH THE SAVANNAH ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: WHAT DO PEOPLE EXPECT?

Abstract

The establishment of the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) has generated lots of discussions among traditional authorities, civil society organisations, foreign and local NGOs, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, donors and the general public on how best to manage the Authority and raised several concerns and expectations regarding the role that SADA should play. While policy makers and technical advisors view SADA as a catalyst or facilitator to development, many of the people in the savannah ecological zone who are primary beneficiaries perceive the Authority as an implementing body that should directly engage in the provision of services and physical infrastructure in order to alleviate poverty. This paper investigates how Northern Ghana lags behind the south in terms of development by highlighting the challenges to reducing poverty in Northern Ghana. Another objective is to identify and analyse the expectations and roles of stakeholders about SADA. The paper combines desk study and field visits to achieve its objectives. Interviews were held with 410 respondents drawn from the three regions of Northern Ghana. The findings show that there is a general misconception of SADA and its role. The conclusion is that it is doubtful whether SADA can meet the varied aspirations of critical stakeholders given that SADA is a facilitating/coordination development body. It is recommended that there is the need for SADA to be more focused in its strategies. In addition, it is important to ensure effective monitoring of the activities of the Authority. Finally, the success of SADA highly depends on the active participation of all key stakeholders. Sensitization and education activities are therefore required by SADA to inform the general public about the facilitative role of SADA rather than an Authority that has been established to engage in the provision of physical infrastructure. Thus, with adequate funding, effective stakeholder participation and independence to operate autonomously SADA may meet most of the expectations within the 30 year period.