Community groups and livelihoods in remote rural areas of Ghana: how small-scale farmers sustain collective action

Community groups such as those involved in food trading, micro-finance and road building can play an important role in sustaining the livelihoods and reducing poverty in rural Africa. While many groups collapse without donor support, the factors that allow some groups to be sustained are examined by looking at a range of community development related groups. The use of subsidies is questioned as it can result in groups becoming dependent on donors. The ability to build up trust and cooperation is shown to be based on long-term learning processes, simple flexible rules established by members, the ability to enforce rules and allowing people to manage their own income.