PDA’s work in REL over the last 20 years has focused on development research, the design of independent and evidence-based process and impact evaluation systems for programme improvement, and project design and management.
The REL team has a proven track record of undertaking large scale qualitative, quantitative and participatory mixed methods research and impact evaluations across Sub-Saharan Africa.
What We Do
PDA uses a broad range of methodologies, most of which enable a high degree of participation and interactive, experiential learning. Our practice is especially inspired by Freirian approaches and also places a premium on creativity and innovation. We are conversant with a number of well-known development approaches including Appreciative Inquiry, Open Space Technology, World Café, Most Significant Change and Participatory Rapid Appraisal. We always seek to adapt and experiment with each unique set of circumstances, combining and drawing selectively on a range of tools and approaches as each process unfolds.
The Unit also exists to provide technical assistance in the form of process monitoring and continuous learning to local and international organizations implementing projects in Ghana and the West African region. The Unit further provides external services as an independent impact evaluator to donors and project implementers alike. By this, the REL Unit has led and also participated in evaluating complex projects to assure donors of the value or otherwise of their investments in projects in Ghana and the sub-Saharan region. In this regard, the unit has worked with and for organizations including the Mastercard Foundation, Overseas Development Institute, ITAD, Oxford Policy Management, University of Bath, Institute of Development Studies, Free the Slaves, UTZ, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, and the Sustainable Trade Initiative, among others.
We are committed as an organisation to realising a proud and prosperous future for Africa, building on its own history and indigenous systems. We seek to work with others to find a path that celebrates our strengths, and critically engages with our weaknesses. The REL unit works in collaboration with partner organisations and associates in every district and region in Ghana. Our researchers and associates are professionals who have been trained and are conversant with our participatory methodologies and tools. They are instrumental in the delivery of quality work during the projects/studies embarked on by PDA. Our reliable and available logistics also makes it possible for us to deploy anywhere in the country at short notice.
Internally, we seek to work with our own change too – as practitioners, as colleagues and team members, and as an organisation as a whole. We believe that in any encounter we have with partners and clients, we are all affected by our work together and we seek to make this as positive an experience as possible for each person.
Areas of Work
We have worked in a wide range of areas in development including:
- Longitudinal Learning & Impact Partnerships
- Basic and applied research
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Baseline, midline, and endline studies
- Public policy analysis
- Poverty and social assessments
- Gender and inclusive development