Hypothesis: “The more an infrastructure project is guided by an infrastructure policy the more likely it is to succeed in reducing rural poverty”
Fig.8 Operationalisation of relationship between infrastructure policy and rural poverty reduction
Independent Variable Dependent Variable
The hypothesis suggests a positive relationship between infrastructure policy and rural poverty reduction. It should be noted here that the dependent variable ‘rural poverty reduction’ refers to the poverty impact assessment results of the KSDP (3.1 above). The independent variable
‘infrastructure policy’ is represented by indicators that will be derived in the next paragraph. To understand the relationship between Ghana’s infrastructure policy environment and rural poverty reduction, the indicators of ‘infrastructure policy’ were compared with the indicators (poverty impact assessment results) of rural poverty reduction. The implications were then analysed.
For the operationalisation of infrastructure policy, there is no “fine” script as to what an infrastructure policy should contain. Such criteria are contextual and depend on the objectives and goal s of the state. In the literature and conceptual review some elements came-up as crucial for effective infrastructure provision. Aside from the fact that most of these have been successfully applied in other countries, they are very contextual as they align with the constitutional provisions and national development policies of Ghana (they meet the content and context discussed under the ‘five’ protocols of implementation). These indicators are presented below as criteria for assessing the infrastructure provision policy environment of Ghana.
3.2.2. Assessment criteria for Ghana’s Infrastructure Provision Policy Environment The indicators derived for the infrastructure policy were compared with the case of the KSDP.
Infrastructure Policy Rural Poverty Reduction
+
51 Table 4. Criteria for assessing the KSDP and Ghana’s infrastructure provision policy
environment
Criteria Data Source
Policy Framework/ level Project documents, interviews
Policy Content Project documents
Broad Policy Framework
Address problems that characterize infrastructure failure Sectoral policies Provide regulatory measures for private sector involvement Sectoral policies
Financing Project document, sectoral policies
Provide for equitable distribution of benefits Project documents Provide continuous monitoring and evaluation of the
performance of infrastructure
Interview/Project officials
Promote sustainability/ management and maintenance Interview/ Project officials Provide for environmental protection Project documents
Provision for externalities Interview /Project officials
Stakeholders
• Government
• Ministries, Department, State Agencies
• State owned enterprises and public utility companies
• Local Government
• Private Investors, Financial Institutions, Contractors
• Relevant Multi-lateral and bilateral donors
• Affected communities/institutions
Interview/ Project officials, Project Documents
Rural Infrastructure
Targeting the poor Project documents
Accessibility, low cost and affordability Questionnaire, Observation, project documents
Integrated development project Project documents
Impact on social wellbeing Questionnaire, Project documents
Impact on productivity and growth Questionnaire, Project documents
Job creation Questionnaires, Project documents
Participation of affected rural communities Interviews/Project officials
52 Conditions for confirming hypothesis
If the policy assessment finds that Ghana’s infrastructure policy environment is adequate and the project impact assessment shows that poverty has reduced then the hypothesis is confirmed.
If the policy assessment finds that Ghana’s infrastructure policy environment is inadequate and the project impact assessment shows that poverty has reduced mildly then the hypothesis is confirmed.
If the policy assessment finds that Ghana’s infrastructure policy environment is lacking and the project impact assessment shows that poverty has not reduced then the hypothesis is confirmed.
Conditions for rejecting hypothesis
If the policy assessment finds that Ghana’s infrastructure policy environment is adequate, but, the project impact assessment shows that poverty has not reduced then the hypothesis is rejected.
If the policy assessment finds that Ghana’s infrastructure policy environment is lacking, but, the project impact assessment shows that poverty has reduced then the hypothesis is rejected.
Data Source and Methods of Data Collection
As indicated in the criteria above the data needs for the policy assessment were drawn from primary and secondary data – a methodological triangulation of primary and secondary data.
The secondary data source include; the legislations, policy frameworks, and project documents.
In addition to the primary data collected through questionnaires for the impact assessment of the KSDP on the beneficiary rural communities, key interviews were also conducted to add substance to the secondary data. The participants of the key interviews include; the Keta district development planning manager – his view was important in the light of the fact that he is very influential in planning the development programmes and projects of the district; the Member of Parliament for Keta constituency – as the member of parliament who saw the initiation of the project he was very influential and he should be well informed on the policy processes that were involved in the implementation of the project; and the chief engineer of Ghana’s ministry of Water Resources Works and Housing (the employer of the project) – being the engineer of the employer of the project he should be informed on the policy and implementation details of the project. These sources provided the useful information needed to answer the research questions and to meet the research objectives.
53 3.3 Methodological Challenges
There was very limited literature on infrastructure provision in Ghana. Additionally there was limited documented data on the KSDP and this made it difficult to access the project.
The absence of adequate baseline data on poverty was a shortcoming for evaluating poverty over time. However, such an analysis over time would in any case face the problem of attribution In view of the fact that the problem of attribution bias is inevitable, indeed external factors such as climate change, other projects, technology boom or political affiliation could affect development and poverty reduction in the different communities such that observed changes cannot be attributed to the project alone. The alternative “before and after” approach is only possible in a static environment and the appropriate approach to limit these short comings was the application of the “with and without”. Additionally, many questions related to the project were asked for each indicator to justify that the project is largely responsible.
Change in poverty dimensions such as health care, education, environmental sustainability, etc are not instantaneous such that they could be assessed and judgement passed within a short period, instead it takes time, about 10 years and above. Therefore the 5 years assessment period of the study was not enough to assess accurately the accumulated project impact.
Some respondents were not comfortable stating their monthly income. There was the risk of some respondents understating or overstating their income. Also it was difficult for people in the informal sector to calculate their monthly income. However, in such cases the respondents were given formulas which helped them in estimating their monthly income.
However, some of these risks were inevitable, and at best the researcher put in place measures to reduce any adverse effect that such risks might have on the credibility of the findings.
3.4 Summary
The chapter 3, outlined the methodology used in empirically testing arguments raised by the thesis. The hypothesis and concepts were operationalised. The data needed and the rationale behind the selection of those data were stated. Methods of data collection, measurement of hypothesis, and the challenges were all explained. The thesis now proceeds to chapter 4 to present and analysis the findings of the study.
54 CHAPTER 4