ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS IN POVERTY REDUCTION: A STUDY OF WORLD VISION GHANA IN THE ICINTAMPO SOUTH DISTRICT

Abstract

The rising poverty levels in Ghana have led to government and non-state actors such as civil society organisations (CSOs) complementing each other's efforts to address the canker. In spite of the efforts put in by CSOs such as World Vision Ghana (WVG), not much is known about the impact of their activities on poverty. This study therefore, investigated the effects of the activities of WVG in the Kintampo South District on poverty. The study used a qualitative study design employing research tools such as questionnaires and interviews to collect data from a sample size of 384 respondents. Analysis of data used descriptive statistics. Some of the key findings showed that majority of the target beneficiaries perceived themselves as very poor. It was revealed that both demand side and supply driven approaches were employed in poverty reduction. Furthermore, it was found that the activities of WVG have contributed to increasing the incomes of majority of beneficiaries thereby reducing their poverty. The study also found some challenges some of them were inadequate funding, non-payment of loans, and late dissemination of information about the intervention. These consequently limit the success of the interventions. The study therefore recommends a diversification of sources of funding, sensitisation of beneficiaries about the need to pay back loans and early dissemination of information about interventions.