This paper investigates the effects of the asset-based community development (ABCD) approach, thus, local resources, asset mobilization, and citizens' participation on rural poverty alleviation in the northern part of Ghana by employing the moderating role of government policies. A total of five hundred fifty (550) questionnaires were administered in three (3) regions of the northern part of Ghana (Upper West, Upper East, and Northern); however, five hundred twenty-two (522) accurately filled responses were retrieved and used for the analysis. More robust structural equation modeling techniques are used to uncover accurate and reliable results. The results prove that local resources, asset mobilization, and citizen participation boost rural poverty alleviation. Also, the moderation role of government policies between asset mobilization and rural poverty alleviation is positive and significant. However, the moderation role of government policies on local resources and rural poverty alleviation nexus, and citizens' participation and rural poverty alleviation nexus are statistically insignificant. Based on the study's findings, policy recommendations applicable in Ghana and other developing regions have been proposed. Purpose: This study investigates the effects of the asset-based community development (ABCD) approach, thus, local resources, asset mobilization, and citizens' participation on rural poverty alleviation in the northern part of Ghana by employing the moderating role of government policies. Methods: The study adopted the convenient sampling technique to obtain data from 550 respondents. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) v. 23 and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) via SmartPLS v. 3 were used to evaluate the proposed relationships based on the data obtained. Conclusion: We found that local resources, asset mobilization and citizens' participation all had significant positive effects on rural poverty alleviation. Also the moderation role of government policies between asset mobilization and rural poverty alleviation. However, the moderation role of government policies between local resources and citizens' participation were statistically insignificant. Implications: Local government agencies located in these regions as well as non-governmental organizations, donor organizations, individual philanthropists etc, interested in promoting the ABCD concept in Ghana and other developing countries should enact policies that can promote the identification of local resources, efficient asset mobilization and effective participations of citizens in decision making processes toward rural poverty alleviation.
