Evaluation of Factors Influencing the Sustainability and Outreach of Microfinance Institutions in Northern Ghana

Purpose: The study examined the factors that influenced the sustainability and outreach of microfinance institutions in northern Ghana from the view point of managers and operation staff of microfinance institutions. Methodology: Questionnaires were administered to a sample of 181 managers and operation staff of 18 microfinance institutions in northern Ghana. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used. Data was analysed using Spearman multiple correlations. Findings: The study found: a positive  statistically significant relationship between capital structure and financial sustainability in northern Ghana,  failed to uncover any  statistically significant relationship between capital structure and outreach, failed to find statistically significant relationship between financial sustainability and outreach levels in northern Ghana, find a positive statistically significant relationship between capital structure, financial sustainability and outreach in northern Ghana. Originality: The study adds to the literature on microfinance sustainability and outreach and in particular the Ghanaian context. Limitation: The study is limited to only microfinance institutions operating in northern Ghana and the perceptions of finance professionals. The study suggests consideration of the entire regions of Ghana and the usage of actual loan data of microfinance institutions. Keywords: Microfinance institutions, Ghana, poverty reduction, capital structure, sustainability, outreach. DOI: 10.7176/RJFA DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/10-16-16 Publication date: August 31st 2019

Assessing the effects of World Vision Ghana education project interventions on beneficiaries in the Saboba district of Ghana

Enrolment, Performance and Retention are the key elements in providing quality education and building the skills and technical expertise of its human resource. The roll out of quality education is however thwarted by some challenges and therefore there is the need for concerted efforts on the part of Private Sector, Public Sector and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to collaborate and contribute to achieving this excellence. The study sought to examine the effects of World Vision Intervention education component on the project beneficiaries at the basic school level in the Saboba district of northern Ghana. The investigation sought to give answers to various inquiries like: perception of stakeholders on the effectiveness of the project, effect of the project on academic performance, school enrolment as well as the challenges associated with the implementation of the intervention Program. The approach to the study was eclectic. Results revealed that more than two-thirds of the stakeholders identified Water and Sanitation, and Education as the priority areas of World Vision. It also attributed the appreciation of enrolment to sponsorship packages enjoyed by beneficiaries and the aggressive mount of enrolment campaign drives.  However, increase in enrolment did not translate into performance, as percentage of pupils graduating from the basic school level to higher levels of academic was not impressive. The situation worsened as the performance of the girl child continues to lag compared to their boys counterparts. The study suggests that development actors should incorporate pupil enrolment campaign Programs into their mainstreamed local Programs, with much emphasis on quality instructional delivery as this will enable pupil to climb higher educational ladder. Also, consultation strategy should be incorporated into donors’ agencies Programs to encourage stakeholders to fully participate at each stage (design to implementation) of the Program since that will allow optimal achievement of the intended goals