Small-Scale Rural Agro-Processing Enterprises in Ghana Status, Challenges and Livelihood Opportunities of Women

2015

English

This paper explored the status, challenges and livelihood opportunities of women small scale agro processors in selected rural communities of the Ga East district of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. It aimed at identifying the needs and options available to these women and the need to scaling up agro-processing in the communities. A total of seventy-five women were randomly selected to participate in the administration of the semi-structured questionnaire interview as well as the focus group discussions which were used to elicit information for the analysis. The study argues that achievement of the state’s objective of empowering women requires an assessment of the state of their activities (e.g. agro-food processing), contributions of small scale rural women’s enterprises, particularly agro-processing to livelihoods improvements. The empirical study results show that while opportunities for rural women entrepreneurs to expand production and penetrate existing markets (locally and internationally) exist there are some impediments which need to be removed in order to allow for growth and development of rural micro and small enterprises (MSEs) for improvement in rural livelihoods. Based on the findings it is concluded that unless the constraints of the agro-processing industry are identified and corrected, Ghana’s dream of revitalizing trade in processed food may only remain a mirage. It is suggested therefore that a deliberate attempt at promoting agro-processing enterprises development that supports local entrepreneurs, particularly rural women should be encouraged aggressively.

Ampadu-Ameyaw, R.; Omari, R.