Assessment of development results : evaluation of UNDP contribution. Ghana / United Nations Development Programme.

"March 2011."

"Sales #: E.11. III. B.17"--Page 4 of cover.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 95-98).

Executive summary -- Introduction -- National development context -- UNDP response and strategies -- Contribution of UNDP to development results -- Conclusions and recommendations.

This is the report of an independent countrylevel evaluation called the Assessment of Development Results (ADR) in Ghana, conducted by the Evaluation Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This evaluation examined the relevance and strategic positioning of UNDP support and its contributions to the country's development results from 2002 to 2010. It assessed UNDP's interventions under the programme areas of governance, poverty reduction and Millennium Development Goals achievement, and environment and energy. UNDP programmes in Ghana have been characterized by UNDP's long-standing partnership with the Government of Ghana. The evaluation illustrated how this positive relationship, based on shared goals and mutual trust, facilitated UNDP's privileged position and how this favourable positioning became, over the years, a major asset for UNDP programme. UNDP succeeded in targeting Ghana's major challenges, as the country strived towards the national aspirations of wealth creation and poverty reduction. Partners appreciated UNDP's deliberate efforts to focus on marginalized communities, vulnerable groups, and deprived areas of Ghana, since these efforts led to enhanced awareness and political action in favour of decentralization and inclusive growth. UNDP retained its relevance in relation to national needs and priorities by being responsive to changes in the political, economic and social context. Notable examples of UNDP's responsiveness include, directing support to relevant institutions to ensure free and fair elections, supporting establishment of new institutions such as the Savannah Development Agency to focus on the poorer north, and responding to natural disasters. The evaluation also showed that the UNDP programme has been effective both at the policy and community level. The evaluation found, however, that UNDP's much-appreciated responsiveness resulted in its interventions becoming more vulnerable to changes in political priorities. There is a risk that UNDP becomes reactive and less strategic. Further, the evaluation highlighted the importance of partnership beyond the government: UNDP did not sufficiently engage nongovernmental organizations or the private sector to ensure broad national ownership of the development agenda. The evaluation also drew attention to challenges that are related to sustainability across UNDP programmes, particularly evident in community-based interventions. The absence, thus far, of a strong market-orientation in community-based interventions seriously hinders the prospect for sustainability.

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