Participatory Project Management Processes,social Support Structures and Sustainability of Ghana Adolescent Reproductive Health Project

Abstract

A systematic approach to engaging stakeholders in the project management processes is one of the strategic drivers for stimulating sustainable project solutionsto diverse public objectives. Yet achieving projects sustainability through effective participatory project management perspectives is still an emerging challenge for several developing nations like Ghana. Drawing on the global sustainable development goals and protocols, this study focused on examining the extent to which participatory project management processes and social support structures influence the sustainability of Ghana adolescent’s reproductive health programme’s (GHARHp) in Ghana. The study intended to achievethe following objectives: to determine the extent to which participatory project; initiation process, planning process, execution process, and closure process, as well as the extent to which a combined participatory project management processes adding to social support structures, influence the sustainability of the GHARHp. Considering the recent paradigm shift in global thinking on sustainable youth health and well-fare, the study focuses on developing practical tools for understanding the implications of stakeholder engagement on the sustainability of ARH programming. This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey and correlational designs, underpinned by mixed-method research methods to investigate its purpose and objectives. The target population of the study was composed of 359stakeholders, out which a sample size of 189 was drawn through multi-stage sampling techniques. The study used Five-Point Likert questionnaires and key informant interview schedules to obtained data from the sampled population in Ghana. Quantitative data was analysed into descriptive statistics; frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations and regression analysis to obtained inferential statisticsusing SPSS v.21 data processing software, while the phenomenological approach was used to analyse the qualitative data according to themes to generate meaning. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation, linear, and multiple regression were adopted for inferential analysis and Fisher (F) were used to test the hypothesis of the study. It was found that all the variables of theparticipatory project management process; including participatory project initiation process planning process, execution process, closure process as well as social support structures recorded strong relationships and significant influence on the sustainability of the GHARHp. This gives a breadth of evidence that participatory project management processes individually and collectively present (s) positive outcomes on the sustainability of ARH projects and the array of social and cultural factors. It was concluded that the study adds to the evidence base supporting the effectiveness of participatory project management processes in yielding positive outcomes at community, policy and practical levels of sustainable implementation of ARHprojects. It was therefore recommended that for project management professionals to ensure the sustainability of ARH programmes and initiatives there is a need for realistic stakeholders’ consultation and engagement at the relevant project management processes. Finally, there is need to conduct reproductive health policy with a special focus on these findings as useful insights and benchmarks to complement to the global Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 5 that aimed to improve the health of young people.