THE PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL INITIATIVE ON CASSAVA-STARCH: ITS NATURE, SCOPE, AND PROSPECTS FOR RURAL TRANSFORMATION

Paul Kofi Andoh

Department of Sociology, University of Ghana, Legon

E-mail : pkandoh@gmail.com and furnstyle2@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

This paper examines a locally bred state initiative (PSI on Cassava-Starch) and the potential possibilities for transforming rural Ghana with the initiative as a platform. In doing this, it also examines the nature and scope of the initiative. Using both quantitative and qualitative data gathering techniques, primary data was gathered from two major cassava producing districts in Ghana, the analyses of which revealed an inherent potential for the continuous operation of the initiative, in spite of many teething problems associated with the implementation of the initiative. It is this potential that this study suggests could be tapped and channeled into an effective and well coordinated rural development effort. The study concludes that whilst the implementation of the PSI on cassava-starch has been plagued with several problems, the increasing global demand for cassava-starch provides a basis for Ghana to focus attention on the development of a properly coordinated cassava-starch industry. Since peasant farmers in rural farming communities are the main producers of fresh cassava, the development of the industry would provide a guaranteed market for their produce, improve their farm incomes, facilitate the provision of social amenities in the producing communities, and thereby improve their socio-economic livelihoods.  

Keywords: Rural Transformation, Peasant Farmers, Globalization, State Intervention, Depeasantization.