한국의 새마을운동과 가나의 NRPRP의 비교 연구

A Comparative Study on the Saemaul Undong in Korea and the Northern Region Poverty Reduction Programme in Ghana: Lessons for Rural Poverty Reduction and Community Development

(Purpose) Korea and Ghana shared a similar level of development with GNP per capita of approximately $83in 1961. The Saemaul Undong, which began in the 1970s, contributed to poverty reduction, improved living conditions, high economic growth, and ultimately the transformation of Korea into a developed country, while Ghana remained a developing and aid-dependent or recipient country with high poverty levels especially in rural areas. This study aims to suggest directions for programs for sustainable poverty reduction and community development in the rural areas of Ghana based on a comparison of Korea’s Saemaul Undong and Ghana’s Northern Region Poverty Reduction Programme (NORPREP). (Design/methodology/approach) This study used a qualitative research method, conducting case studies of Saemaul Undong and NORPREP. It focused on three criteria: self-help approach, institutional coordination, and implementation approach for both programs, and takes policy suggestions into consideration to apply success factors of Saemaul Undong to NORPREP. (Findings) This study found that there are both commonalities and differences in project implementation between Saemaul Undong and NORPREP. Saemaul Undong achieved its targets on poverty reduction and rural community development, which contributed to the development of the country, and while NORPREP also achieved its targets, they had low impact, and the desire to develop the country was not achieved. (Research implication or originality) This study suggests policies for sustainable poverty reduction and community development in rural areas by applying the success factors of the Saemaul Undong to improve the NORPREP in Ghana.