| Abstract |
Every 10 years the World Bank prepares a major report on the state of the world's poverty. The next such report is due in 2000/01 and will focus on "Poverty and Development." The report will form the thrust of the World Development report,
2000/01. To reflect a true world report, 20 countries (Ghana included) have been selected for a study entitled "Consultations with the Poor." The study used basically qualitative participatory methods of inquiry to assess perceptions of the poor in the following themes: well-being; priorities of the poor; institutional analysis; gender relations; definitions and trends. This study has exposed numerous and varied perceptions of the poor and poverty, problems of the poor and priorities, gender relations and institutional analysis. In addition the spread and intensity of poverty has been clearly manifested. Most of the findings have corroborated the findings of other poverty studies carried out earlier on. Despite the number and complexity of the problems and priorities of the poor one most probable way of formulating and implementing pragmatic programmes to reduce poverty is to allow the poor to "write their own programmes." The poor know too well their state, their problems and priorities, and who can help them and these should not be over-ruled without their collaboration.
(part of authors abstract)
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