Ghana: “Consulting With The Poor.

”
Country Synthesis Report: Commissioned by The World Bank: By: Ernest Y. Kunfaa - July
1999
 Historical overview: Ghana
•Sub-Saharan West African Sub-region
• Independence in 1957
• Population is roughly 18 million with a growth rate of 3% (One of the
highest in the world)
• About 60% of the country’s population live in rural communities. Making it a
predominantly rural country.
• Ghana is comprised of various ethnic groups: 17 major ethnicities are
indentified by language. The Akans constituting 44% & Ewes 13%
• Christians make up over 50% and are fairly concentrated in the southern half
of the country
• Muslims and adherents or traditional religions are generally in the northern
portion.
• Almost half the population (46.7%) are people less than 15 years of age, while
elderly are 3.7%

Methodology
• The avg. growth rate of the GDP between 84-92 was approximately. 5% but
since has taken sharp declines, fluctuates and has been unsteady to date.
• Adopted a decentralized Government in 1988
Case Study
Structure:
• 40 Individuals cases were studied
• 56 Groups cases were studied
• Total = 96 cases studies were used
• Site total = 9:::2 Coastal Zone, 2 Middle Belt, 2 Transitional Zone, and 3
from Northern Savannah Zone
Keith Tivon Gregory
 PERCEPTIONS OF POVERTY: GREAT DIVIDES
CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF POVERTY IN SECURITY, RISK, ESCAPING POVERTY[5]
TABEERE[1][2] VULNERABILITY[4]
Men Women
Security: Kwasi Frimpong (Poor --> Rich)
Ngmaaga The monkey says •“a lot of hard work and dedication”
yeleka o puo that that which is in •“economic use of resources”
bon la o so his stomach is what •“DON’T travel outside the country”
he owns
(person relies on himself) Afua Florence (Poor)
•“my main problem is lack of money”
In general
Living happily without fears
or problems, having enough •“If God permits/allows”
money and property

SOCIAL EXCLUSION AND

ka ena If you have money
COHESION[6]
ntaalibiri, you can do all Condition Justification Remediation
etare things
bongyaa
Risk: Epilepsy / Leprosy “Witches/wizards” none

PERCEPTION OF POVERTY IN YOUTH Kye “But”

(an indication of Thieves Social misfits Fines / rites
OF ADABOYA[3] uncertainty)
Causes Scor Impacts of Scor Rapists/adulterers Immorality Fines to victim
of e Poverty e Dabeeng Fear
(to be frightened or anxious)
Poverty Extreme poverty Insult / disgrace Become wealthy
Poor Yield 15 Inability to care for 16
children Something that can cause COPING STRATEGIES[7]
harm
Lack of jobs 9 Ill health, death 9 Urban Boyfriends w/ money, sleep with
Vulnerability:
(Atonsu men, steal, food with friends,
Lack of farm 6 Sorrow, sadness 9 Yelkanga too Something may cut Bokro) servitude, God
inputs ngmemaa (something unknown may
happen) Borrow money, lies/fraud, depend
High birth 4 Madness 2
on family, collect remittances
rates Ngmaaga The monkey says
Early 3 Anger 2 yeleka o puo that that which is in
bon la o so his stomach is what
marriage Rural Pray to God, help husbands,
he owns
Excessive 3 Drug Abuse 2 (person relies on himself) (Dobile trading, firewood, help each
Drinking Yirkpong) other, attention to sanitation,
fetch pipe-water

[1] Causes and Impacts of Poverty as perceived by men in TabeEre, [4] Local Definitions of Security, Risk & Vulnerability [5] Opportunities, Making bean cakes,
social and economic mobility,borrow,
pg 39-40
box 4a, pg 29 - perceived by men and women in Dobile Yirkpong, steal,
[6] Social exclusion, collect fuel wood, pray
pg 41-44 to
[2] Causes and Impacts of Poverty as perceived by women in Box 6 and text, pg 35 [7] Coping Strategies, Boxes 12, pg 45
TabeEre, box 4b, pg 30 God Jim Hsu
 Gender Issues: Urban and Rural Ghana
RURAL URBAN

Responsibilities Women: help husbands with Women: will supplement the

farm work and with household income if need be
maintaining the house Men: provide for the family plus
Men: provide for the family pays school fees, rent and
utilities

Decision Making Men exert more dominance Many women are becoming
over women than in urban educated, which effects decision
areas. making.
Violence and Abuse Against The main cause given is Tied to performance in the
Women men’s access to alcohol and economy and influence of
lack of consideration for their foreign cultures.
wives.

Summary:
Women have a greater voice (education, ability to earn money, more power) than they have
in the past, yet they consider themselves worse off due to “the increased availability of hard
drugs, alcohol, strong drinks and declining crops,” which leads to violence.
Paradoxically, men perceive women as being better off than in the past because of access
to economic resources.

Christen Penny
 Freddy Yip

Institutional Analysis

Religious - Rural
Hospitals and Health Clinics – Urban
Social Clubs and Classmates Union –
Urban
Institutions providing utilities - Urban

Health Facilities Women Men

Assemblyman Women Men
Police Women Men

Source: “Consultations With The Poor,” Ghana (Country Synthesis

Report, World Bank: pg. 57-58