The Role of Ghana’s Planting for Food and Jobs Policy in Local Economic Development

Abstract

This study investigates the role of Planting for Food and Jobs in local economic development. Specifically, it assessed challenges faced by planting for food and jobs in local economic development, and how planting for food and jobs has affected Ghana's local economic development. The study adopted the interpretive paradigm and the case study approach to emphasize how Planting for Food and Jobs affects local economic development from the participant's point of view and perception of reality. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods and was conducted in Ghana. The study found that the program's challenges with service delivery can be attributed to a lack of government financing, which has also led to other issues including the failure of various programs that were intended to promote development. Findings revealed that the creation of jobs through Planting for Food and Jobs has increased the number of farmers, which has a direct impact on the pace of output. The introduction of the program has helped farmers improve their businesses and provided opportunities for individuals to engage in farming, which led to a minor improvement in the status of the local economy. It is then recommended that the Government should support the program with enough funds to increase the program’s local economic development potential.