VALUE CHAIN INTERVENTIONS AND BUSINESS PERFORMANCE: A STUDY OF BENEFICIARY SHEA VALUE CHAIN ACTORS IN NORTHERN REGION, GHANA

Abstract

The study was done in the Sagnarigu and Kumbungu districts of Northern region of Ghana in 2017. Primary data on value chain interventions and business performance were collected from the shea actors using questionnaires. Secondary data was also collected from Sekaf Ghana Limited and Stichting Nederlandse Vrijwilligers (SNV). T-test (Paired Sample T-test), eta squared and descriptive statistics were employed to assess the value chain interventions and business performance of shea actors. A paired sample T-test was conducted to evaluate the impact of the interventions on shea actors which revealed a statistically significant difference as a result of the interventions. Both generic interventions and specific interventions have impacted positively on beneficiaries. We also recommend, based on the results and conclusion, that Government and Developmental Organizations and other actors should put much emphasis on skills development among actors in the shea value chain. Government and Developmental Organizations should be more support in the area of horizontal and vertical coordination to enhance the potential of building up shea business. Government should set up shea board to come out with regulatory framework that will guide the conduct of all the actors in the shea value chain in terms of regulating price of shea nuts.