Improving the Targeting of Social Programs in Ghana

This study provides a diagnostic of the benefit incidence and targeting performance of a large number of social programs in Ghana. Both broad-based programs (such as spending for education and health, and subsidies for food, oil-related products and electricity) as well as targetd programs (such as LEAP, the indigent exemption under the NHIS, school lunches and uniforms, or fertilizer subsidies) are considered. In addition, the study provides tools and recommendations for better targeting of those programs in the future. The tools include new maps and data sets for geographic targeting according to poverty and food security, as well as ways to implement proxy means-testing. The purpose of this introductory chapter is to provide a brief synthesis of the key findings and messages from the study.

This volume discusses the level of Dutch individual involvement in culture (various forms of arts and cultural heritage). Trends in participation are treated against the background of what the cultural field offers the Dutch population. In addition to "cultural consumption" (visiting a theater or going to the movies) this work also views active creative activity (painting, playing music, acting) and the use of the mass media for cultural purposes. Women appear to be more interested in most cultural forms than are men; highly educated people participate more than those with lower levels of education, although participation levels of the higher educated are declining somewhat; and, among the middle aged, popular rather than high arts are on the rise. The book concludes by discussing scenarios for a future in which the cultural field faces increased competition over the leisure time of Dutch citizens.

Frank Huysmans, Andries van den Broek and Jos de Haan are part of the research group on Time, Media and Culture of the Social and Cultural Planning Office in The Hague, Netherlands.