Analysis of the direction in which Ghana's policy makers will need to steer the economy for Ghana to fulfil the promise of its independence over 50 years ago. As Ghana enters its second half-century there is a widespread perception of failure of the economic and political system in delivering improved living standards to the population. This failure comes despite a solid transition to democracy, despite a recorded recovery from the economic malaise of previous decades and despite a reduction on measured levels of poverty. The contributors in this book analyse the reasons for this failure and sets out an analytical agenda as the basis of the course that the nations' policy makers will have to steer if Ghana is to fulfil the promise of its independence in 1957. ERNEST ARYEETEY is Director of the Institute of Statistical, Social& Economic Research, University of Ghana at Legon; RAVI KANBUR is Professor of Economics at Cornell University. The contributors include: Ernest Aryeetey, Ravi Kanbur, Tony Killick, Augustin Fosu, Charles E. Youngblood,David L. Franklin, Stephen Kyereme, Frank W. Agbola, Susanna Wolf, Daniel Bruce Sarpong, Peter Quartey, Theresa Blankson, Thierry Buchs, Johan Mathiesen, William F. Steel, David O. Andah, Harold Coulombe, Anthony Tsekpo, CharlesD. Jebuni, Andy Mckay, Nii K.Sowa, Kojo Appiah-Kubi, Abena Oduro, Bernadin Senadza, Felix A. Asante, Joseph R.A. Ayee, Kwabena Gyimah-Brempong, Elizabeth N. Appiah, Niels-Hugo Blunch, G.J.M. Van Den Boom, N.N.N. Nsowah-Nuamah, and, G.B. Overbosch. Ghana: Woeli Publishing Services(PB)

Evidence abounds in the livelihoods literature that rural households have a diversified portfolio of income sources, and that the share of income from non-farm sources is increasing overtime. Using data from national level household survey, this study investigates the determinants of non-farm income diversification among rural households in Ghana, as well as its income distribution and welfare implications. The findings of the study provide additional insight into diversification behaviors of rural households across the developing world, and highlight the need to promote and enhance the capacities of rural households, especially poorer households, to participate effectively in non-farm activities as a complement to agriculture to help reduce rural poverty. This book therefore is a useful reference material for policy makers, researchers and students of development economics.