International NGOs in Development and Poverty reduction through Microfinance: Aspects from the Dangme East District of Ghana.

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with finding the impacts of a microfinance project operated by The Hunger Project (THP) in the Dangme East District of Ghana. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been core partners in the alternative development paradigm, underscoring their close relations with society. And in the course of their work, microfinance remains one major tool with which they seek to reduce world poverty. The qualitative research approach was used to analyze and interpret the data. Interviews were conducted based on the semi-structured interview guide using a tape recorder. 17 beneficiaries and 2 THP officials were interviewed and these interviews were transcribed to form the main basis of data that was used. Theoretical concepts of development and poverty reduction such as alternative development, modernization theory, dependency theory and neoliberalism were used as theoretical basis of this study. The overall findings showed that majority of beneficiaries were now able to meet their basic needs and have had improved living conditions. Few problems concerning non-payment of loans and inadequate funding to reach a wider section of the population were however recorded.