THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT: THE CASE OF CHRISTIAN RURAL AID NETWORK

ABSTRACT This study examines some of the roles non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play in promoting rural development in Ghana using Christian Rural Aid Network (CRAN); an NGO in Cape Coast as a case for study. The study identified some of the programmes and activities of CRAN in two of the communities it operates in, namely Duakor and Abakam, all suburbs of Cape Coast. Simple random sampling was used to identify 188 households using their house numbers for the study. The study identified some of the roles CRAN is playing in rural development to include the running of micro-credit schemes, providing counseling services, helping people to establish and expand businesses, supporting education, assisting farmers and fishermen, establishing of churches and providing employment opportunities. The study also revealed what the community members expected from CRAN as an NGO and this included the need to provide sanitary facilities, clinics and loans; some of which are already being met by CRAN. Programme maintenance responsibilities of the activities of CRAN have also been discussed. Some challenges in the area of land acquisition and refusal to pay loans on the part of those who have benefited from the credit schemes were identified as threats to the credit schemes. Suggestions to problems here include the need for CRAN to acquire enough land and the taking of legal measures to retrieve loans given out to beneficiaries who default. At the end of the study it came to light that the activities of CRAN as an NGO are helping to promote rural development.