THE IMPACT OF THE RURAL ENTERPRISE PROGRAMME ON WOMEN‟S LIVELIHOOD AND POVERTY REDUCTION IN THE SISSALA EAST DISTRICT

Abstract

Although available statistics in recent years reveal a decline in poverty in Ghana, the socio economic and political participation of women in the Sissala East District needs attention. The study therefore sought to evaluate the impact of social intervention policies such as the Rural Enterprise Programme (REP) on women‟s livelihood and poverty reduction in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region of Ghana. The study used both quantitative and qualitative data using questionnaires and interviews to gather and process data from fifty-seven (57) respondents from three (3) communities (namely; Sakai, Chinching and Nwanduonu) using probability and non-probability sampling techniques such as simple random sampling and purposive sampling respectively. The Rural Enterprise Programme‟s intervention has been useful in poverty reduction and livelihood sustainability among women in the study area. The study also helped unearth the relevance of the woman in the decision making process in the family and the community levels. The socio-economic indicators assessed in the study shows an improvement in income levels, health care status, respect and dignity, book keeping and customer care of REP‟s beneficiaries in the study area. The work has identified inadequate start-up capital, poor perception for local products and access to markets and poor advisory services and monitoring mechanisms after skills training programmes provided by the Rural Enterprise Programme as some of the challenges beneficiaries face and therefore recommends that the REP intervention be extended to other communities with continuous technical and other relevant support to beneficiaries.