INTRODUCTION made to make recommendations which were factored as inputs in preparing the GNPOA. The Field Methodology The field methodology served three main purposes. First, to engage in national consultations with relevant stakeholders as respondents to the APRM questionnaire. Second, to collect, collate and analyze information to prepare the National SelfAssessment Report. Third, to provide empirical grounds as a basis to fashion out the GNPOA. The field methodology employed in the Country Self-assessment Report and GNPOA adopted a three-prong approach. In the first place, an elite survey involving interviews with persons who by virtue of their specialized background occupy senior positions in public, private and civil society organizations and institutions was conducted across the country. Second, field methodology involved a mass household survey to capture broad and representative views. This was conducted in all the ten administrative regions of Ghana. This aimed at making the country self-assessment and GNPOA an open, participatory and broad-based process that enjoys the credibility and legitimacy of the mass of Ghanaians in the implementation of the APRM. Finally, focus group discussions with identifiable organized groups on specific issues raised in the questionnaire were done. For instance, the physically challenged, children advocacy groups and youth organizations among others were specifically targeted as focused groups to make the national self-assessment as all-inclusive as possible. In-House Methodology In-house methodology involved two main approaches. First desk research and second in-house peer reviews. Desk research entailed making a study of existing literature, research and documents on the four thematic areas in order to establish the current state of knowledge of the area in focus. Desk research was a critical part of the GNPOA as it afforded the integration of ongoing development strategies and initiatives. These included: ? Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy, ? Millennium Development Goals ? National Economic Dialogue Reports ? Millennium Challenge Account ? Multi-Donor Budget Support Programme of Development Partners ? Poverty Reduction Support Credit of the World Bank ? Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility of the IMF ? Public Sector Reform Programme 160