Exploring the utility of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in ranking livelihood activities for effective and sustainable rural development interventions in developing countries

Baffoe, G. (2019) Exploring the utility of Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in ranking livelihood activities for effective and sustainable rural development interventions in developing countries. Evaluation and Program Planning, 72, pp. 197-204. (doi: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2018.10.017) (PMID:30399522)

Abstract

It is commonly known that most development projects, especially in the global south, tend to achieve unintended results or fail because of lack of due diligence. Project satisfaction and sustainability would only be achieved if consistent with the actual needs of the people intended to benefit. Based on field experiences in the Fantekwa District of Eastern Ghana, this study aims to explore the utility of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in prioritizing livelihood activities to aid in effective and sustainable poverty reduction interventions in developing countries. Data from twenty five development stakeholders in the district were used for the assessment. The study demonstrates that with appropriate data, and systematically following all required processes, the AHP approach can effectively show where intervention is most needed. Application of AHP in the current context, the study argues, has the potential to address the issue of wrong development targeting with associated counterproductive and nonstarter outcomes.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Analytic hierarchy process (AHP), assessment, development projects, Ghana, intervention, livelihood, utility.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Baffoe, Dr Gideon
• Authors: Baffoe, G.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Journal Name: Evaluation and Program Planning
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0149-7189
• ISSN (Online): 0149-7189
• Published Online: 24 October 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd.
• First Published: First published in Evaluation and Program Planning 72:197-204
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher