The conceptualization of need is a very vital process in any social planning program. A “need” can be general defined as a discrepancy or gap between what is and what should be. Siegel et al. (1978 p. 216), in this regards define need as “the gap between what is viewed as necessary level or conditions by those responsible for this determination and what actually exist”. This definition of need implies it is a relative concept, hence the reason to define in identification and assessment efforts as Social Planners. Furthermore, Nguyen et al. (1976) stated that an unmet need contingently is based upon: recognition of the problem; judgement that satisfactory solution to this problem may not be accessible …show more content…
Majority of destitute older persons in Ghana live within the family housing system – an extended family household – hence it will be different to identify those in need of assistance and what type of assistance the aged in Ghanaian society need. In addition, the expressed need approach of the social program help translate unmet needs or demands of the elderly in Ghanaian society into the planning targets of the program. Likewise, perceived need approach help program planners of the “Adopt a granny Scheme to develop a more responsive service delivery system to the issue of ageing and poverty in Ghanaian …show more content…
Thus, this section of the report seeks to make a case of the need for evaluation of the “Adopt a Granny Scheme” and the rationale behind this call for the evaluation of the program. Rossi et al. (2004 cited in Kettner et al., 2012) define program evaluation as “social science techniques applied to determining the workings and effectiveness of social programs (p. 231). Thus the prime aim of program evaluation is to determine the impact of a program through establishing cause-effect relationships (Kettner et al., 2012). The logic behind this is that, social program – “the cause ” – in most cases explains the achievements/outcomes – “the effect” – we witness in that aspect of social life to which the program was applied. Furthermore, such evaluations often provided the necessary feedbacks needed to determine whether the program is addressing the problems is was invented for and the initial predicted outcomes of the program are being