Women's Contribution to Local Economic Development: A Study of Women in Cassava Production and Processing in Central Tongu District of Ghana

Global Social Welfare Vol. 4 (4) 2017

Posted: 30 Jun 2017

See all articles by Joseph Ato Forson

Joseph Ato Forson

University of Education, Winneba

Theresa Baah-Ennumh

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana

Sampson Mensah

Independent

Date Written: June 27, 2017

Abstract

The agriculture sector is the predominant employer of the active workforce in Ghana. Among this workforce, women constitute majority which invariably imply their role cannot be overemphasized. This study therefore examines how the socio-economic characteristics of women affect local economic development through cassava production and processing in Central Tongu district of Ghana. A proportional stratified probability sampling with simple random sampling technique was used to select 171 respondents out of 296 in the sampling frame. The paper finds educational level and family size to be significantly related to cassava production and processing in the district. Cassava production and processing was observed to be a profitable economic activity. The paper therefore suggests that government through its decentralized system should focus on policies that promote cassava-related businesses. Also, the assembly through its Business Advisory Centre should support women with credit facilities through the Microfinance and Small Loans Center (MASLOC) initiative. This will give more meaning to the national development thrust of enhancing sustainable livelihoods among indigenes within poverty-stricken localities.

Keywords: Local economic development (LED), Cassava, Ghana, Food security, Women, Sustainable Livelihoods (SL)

JEL Classification: O10, O13, O38

Suggested Citation

Forson, Joseph Ato and Baah-Ennumh, Theresa and Mensah, Sampson, Women's Contribution to Local Economic Development: A Study of Women in Cassava Production and Processing in Central Tongu District of Ghana (June 27, 2017). Global Social Welfare Vol. 4 (4) 2017, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2994721

Joseph Ato Forson (Contact Author)

University of Education, Winneba ( email )

P.O. Box 25
Winneba, Central Region +233
Ghana

HOME PAGE: http://www.uew.edu.gh

Theresa Baah-Ennumh

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana ( email )

Faculty of Law
Faculty of Law
Kumasi, AK Ashanti Region +233
Ghana

Sampson Mensah

Independent ( email )

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