Suchergebnisse

First published in 1978, Development Economics in Action is a renowned study of policies in Ghana, one of Africa's most closely watched economies. In this new edition three additional chapters provide a detailed account of 1978-2008.

This volume looks at the effectiveness of conditionality in structural adjustment programmes. Tony Killick charts the emergence of conditionality, and challenges the widely held assumption that it is a co-operative process, arguing that in fact it tends to be coercive and detrimental to development objectives. Through detailed case studies of twenty one recipient countries, he explores the key issues of:* ownership* role of agencies* government objectives and the effects of policy.The conclusion is that conditionality has been counterproductive to price stability, economic growth and investmen

A surge in aid to Africa poses serious dangers. Aid dependency there, which already exceeds levels elsewhere, would grow more serious. As aid increases, its contribution to growth tails off and eventually becomes negative. The absorptive capacity of most African governments is in grave doubt. Recipient governments' access to additional aid will reduce their need to tax citizens weakening the imperatives to listen to and account to them, and sapping taxpayers' incentives to organise to make themselves heard. The belief that enhanced aid can be accompanied by improvements in its effectiveness is also dubious. Nothing is more detrimental to effectiveness than pressure to spend. It will sacrifice quality for quantity - as the need to keep funds flowing pushes cool evaluation aside, country selectivity is eroded, and substantial amounts are thrust into fiscal systems that fail to provide even rudimentary assurance extra funds will be used in ways that donors would wish. Finally, increased aid, which will entail rich nations providing what for them is small change, might become an excuse not to tackle trade issues which would make a greater impact. (IDS Bull(DÜI)

This paper assesses the preparation of Ghana's Poverty Reduction Strategy paper (GPRS), paying particular attention to its likely influence on the institutionalisation of anti-poverty measures in the country's political economy. After examining contextual factors, it analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the GPRS processes, including the responses of donors and the extent to which the GPRS will result from wider consultation and participation. It also examines its monitoring and informational aspects. It concludes that the process has much potential value but has also contained serious weaknesses, including poor integration into governmental decision processes, an ownership too narrowly grounded in the central government and very weak arrangements for monitoring and implementation. – PRSP ; poverty ; Ghana ; policy