Perceived effect of community participation in non-governmental organisation-led development programmes in the Tolon-Kumbungu district of Northern Ghana

Abstract

The study sought to find out how the people of the Tolon-Kumbungu District were involved in NGO-led development programme meant to improve their communities and the programme’s effects on their lives. The study was a survey research, and was carried out in five communities namely; Tali, Kunguri, Zali-Zalnayili, Tindanpayili and Amdukura. 264 community members were interviewed using spatial sampling (is the sampling employed when the study addresses people temporarily congregated in a space and dispersed) as most of target population were farmers and could only get them in the evening. Also 26 community leaders were interviewed using purposive sampling technique because the leaders were very relevant to the study as they were the first contact to NGOs. An unstructured interview schedule and structured interview schedule in the form of questionnaires were used to collect data from community members and leaders. One of the major findings of the study indicated that good relationship between the people and NGOs and district assembly is the meaning of community participation. The study also showed that the people valued development meetings and were free to share their views. It was concluded that the people were active in participation of NGO-led development programmes. NGOs however, had not empowered the people enough to initiate their own development programmes. The main recommendations arising from a discussion of the findings were that education of the people on the need and benefits of participation need to be done more and; strengthen the structures of participatory development and empowerment for community initiatives.