Assessing the Impact of Advocacy Programme on Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Growth in Khana and Gokana Local Government Area
Abstract
This study examines the impact of advocacy programmes on economic empowerment and sustainable growth in Khana and Gokana Local Government Areas of Rivers State, Nigeria. The research aims to identify the barriers hindering the successful implementation of advocacy programmes, assess the effectiveness of community involvement, determine key factors of community participation, and evaluate the role of lobbying in enhancing economic empowerment and sustainable growth. A descriptive survey design was adopted, with a population of 3,200 respondents drawn from 63 communities in Khana and 17 communities in Gokana, consisting of members of MOSOP advocacy programmes. The sample size of 320 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane model, with proportionate sampling techniques employed to select 32 communities. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, validated by experts in Adult and Community Education, with a reliability coefficient of r = 0.85 obtained through the test-retest method. The data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The findings revealed that various barriers, including inadequate funding, low community engagement, infrastructure deficiencies, and corruption, significantly hindered the implementation of advocacy programmes in both areas. Advocacy leadership was generally perceived as effective, particularly in community mobilisation and strategic stakeholder partnerships, although differences were observed in communication effectiveness and prioritization of women and youth empowerment. Community participation was found to be critical, with active decision-making and partnerships enhancing programme success, while community ownership was lower in Khana and cultural relevance posed challenges in Gokana. Lobbying played a significant role in influencing policy decisions, advocating for economic interests, facilitating partnerships, and promoting good governance. The study concludes that
