Benefit Incidence Analysis of Poverty Reduction Interventions in the Bongo District of Upper East Region of Ghana

Abstract

Households in Bongo District accessed benefits from poverty reduction interventions. The study specifically sought to examine the kinds of benefits derived by households and to estimate how the benefits were distributed across various household income groups in order to determine the progressivity of the interventions. The study was also interested in exploring alternative ways of enhancing the benefits of the interventions. To achieve these objectives of the study, a structured interview and questionnaire were administered to 435 households and 5 officials of the implementing agencies. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the kinds of benefits and the alternative means to enhance the benefits. Benefit incidence approach was used to estimate the distribution of the benefits in terms of cash transfers to household quintiles (population groups) and to determine the pro-poorness and progressivity of the interventions. The results of the study showed that households received various kinds of benefits in agriculture, safe water, education, and health interventions. The benefit incidence analyses showed that the poorest households benefited largely from the education and Food and Agricultural Budgetary Support (FABS) interventions. It also showed that the interventions, which targeted at the poor were progressive. The households also suggested alternative means of enhancing the benefits of the interventions. It is necessary for Government to design and implement pro-poor programmes that consider the needs of the poor in order to lift them out of the poverty.