Assessing the influence of the rural enterprise programme in poverty reduction in the Saboba district, Ghana.

Abstract

The study explored the influence of Rural Enterprise Programme (REP) in reducing poverty in the Saboba District. The qualitative research approach, with the case study design was used for the study. The target population was 389 staff and beneficiaries. Purposive Sampling was used to select 15 beneficiaries and 2 officials. Data was collected using semi-structured interview, and the data collected was analysed thematically. The study found that REP is not into direct creation of new jobs but offered skills training and business development training for beneficiaries. It was found the interventions were effective since it had direct and immediate impact on the quality of work and profits of the beneficiaries. Despite, the impact, the programme is saddled with beneficiary related challenges such as difficulty getting access to raw materials, inadequate training and poor interpersonal relationship between the beneficiaries and the coordinator, financial challenges and administrative related challenges such as inadequate manpower, inadequate motivation and the lack of means of transport. Based on the outcome of the study, it was recommended that REP should organise training regularly for the beneficiaries, and REP see to it that the beneficiary and administrative related-challenges are addressed.