THE EFFECTS OF SHEA BUTTER PROCESSING AND MARKETING ON INCOMES OF RURAL WOMEN IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Shea butter processing is one of the most important typical traditional enterprises and the main source of income for most rural women in Northern Ghana. Aside the challenges the women and children go through whiles picking and carrying the nuts to the house, it is not left out of financial and marketing challenges faced by many small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana. As a result, the study assessed the effects of Shea butter processing and marketing on rural women in the northern region of Ghana; as well analyzed the challenges faced by women who engaged in Shea processing business. The study used a multi-stage sampling technique to select the Shea processors and staff of NGOs in the Shea sub-sector. The study was a cross sectional survey and therefore, used the semi-structured questionnaire and interview guide as the primary data collection instruments. One hundred and eleven Shea processors responded to the questionnaires as well as a sample frame of one thousand and seventy eight of households engaged in Shea butterprocessingandmarketing.Giventhenatureoftheobjectivesofthestudy,descriptive statistical tools were used in the data analyses process. The study then showed that incomes earned and profits made by the Shea processors from the business helps the women to satisfy most of their needs and wants such as food, clothing, educational and health needs. It was also revealed that the challenges that limit the successes of the Shea processors are tediousness of the production process, limited availabilityoflabour,insufficientstoragefacilities,lowsales,inadequatewater,inadequate equipment and most importantly insufficient funds. The study also revealed that there is no deliberate policy put in place by the government to ensure improved and sustained growth of the industry. It was then recommended that thereshouldbedeliberatepoliciesandprogramsputinplacebygovernmentoftherepublic to ensure that the Shea industry of Ghana is well developed, regulated and protected to enable all stakeholders derive the maximum benefit from the industry.