Component 5: Monitor and Evaluate ME Progress and Learning
The Initiative is implementing a creative ME system that measures progress and re-orients interventions based upon a common participatory learning process, and which also includes a
“social thermometer” that measures quality of life and food security in the Western Region. The Performance Management Plan or PMP has been completed and submitted to USAID. There
are nine USAID Indicators see Annex A. The Initiative will also pilot a carbon neutral approach for donor-supported programs in Ghana
by accounting for emissions and assessing options for offsetting actions.
8.0 Program Management
8.1 Performance Management and Reporting
The goal of performance management and evaluation is to encourage adaptive management and learning within the Initiative and to report results to USAIDGhana. This requires collecting
timely information using indicators selected to provide meaningful information on progress towards stated objectives. The Initiative’s Performance Management Plan PMP has been
submitted to USAID. The PMP includes key results, refined performance targets disaggregated by year, specific monitoring parameters, and sources of data for each indicator. Time-bound
targets have been refined at the end of Phase 1 through the work planning process and in consultation with local partners and beneficiaries. These targets will be reviewed annually and
adjusted as necessary based on Initiatives progress, experience and lessons learned. The Initiative’s own monitoring and evaluation activities, which are in addition to the USAID PMP
process and indicators, will be refined in the first quarter of the Year 2 workplan. Semi-annual performance monitoring reports PMRs, which are submitted to the USAID AOTR
Agreement Officer Technical Representative, document progress on achieving results. These reports include: 1 a comparison of actual accomplishments against the targets established for
the period; 2 an explanation of quantifiable outputs generated by Initiative activities; and 3 reasons why targetsgoals were or were not met. The data reported is supported by evidence
collected and filed in the ICFG Initiatives primary field office. CRC’s Monitoring and Research Officer is responsible for collection of performance management information vis-a-vis each
indicator including keeping on file evidence that supports the reported results, and maintaining quality control assurances on data and information collected. The CRC home office periodically
conducts an internal audit of the PMR systems to ensure they are functioning properly and the data and evidence is being properly collected and recorded.
The ICFG Initiative invests resources in monitoring and reporting to foster learning and adaptive management across implementation sites and with other projects and programs. An internal
self- assessment is also conducted annually in conjunction with the work-planning events.
8.2 Environmental Monitoring and Compliance
The Initial Environmental Examination IEE was submitted in December 2009 subsequent to submission of this first implementation workplan. Monitoring schemes were put in place in Year
1 to ensure no significant environmental impacts are occurring for those actions or projects that
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