A Multidimensional Approach to Poverty: An Application to Yaounde

During the 1950s and 1960s when formerly colonised countries embarked onthe path of development upon political independence, the main concern was economic growth, seen as the most appropriate way to raise the general standard of living andreduce poverty in the Third World. Poverty reduction or eradication was not a directand immediate objective of these development models. Rather it was assumed thatbenefits of economic growth would trickle down to all segments of the population,create employment, raise living standards and reduce poverty (Brohman, 1995: 200).