PERCEPTIONS OF DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

In Ghana, like in many other developing countries, concern has been raised over the fact that development projects and programmes extended to communities have not yielded their real impact of better living of people. This study sought to find out beneficiaries' perspectives about development. It was conducted in Tamale, Savelugu and KpalsogulDundo in the Tamale Metropolis, Savelugu-Nanton and Tolon-Kumbungu Districts respectively in Northern Region of Ghana. Stratified and Purposive sampling techniques were employed to select a sample of 240 respondents. Data collection methods included focus group discussions, individual questionnaire administration and observations. Methods of data analysis involved descriptive analysis, frequency distribution and Kendall's Coefficient of Concordance. The majority of respondents referred to development as "being able to meet one's welfare goals or well being". The important development indicators were: Good health, Peace, High formal education, Enough food and High income among others. In conclusion, respondents were most concerned about the usefulness of developments items, use of local resources in their provisions, their legality as well as conformity to culture and religious beliefs. Respondents' participation in development was dominated by males. It is therefore recommended that development interventions that would lead to good health, peace, high formal education, enough food and high income should be vigorously pursued. Development items should be useful to intended beneficiaries, also local resources should be used in providing them and they should be legal as well as conform to the culture and religious beliefs of people. Females' participation in development interventions should be promoted.