ACCESS TO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES AND ECONOMNIC EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN: THE CASE OF DAWDADAWA PROCESSORS IN THE CHEREPONI DISTRICT

Abstract

In Ghana like in other countries, Business Development Services has been acknowledged as a pro- poor development intervention because of its special program models in meeting the required needs of the rural poor especially women. This study analysed how dawadawa processors’ access to Business Development Service under Business Advisory Centre can economically empower them in the Chereponi District. The study was guided by Ester Boserup’s WID theory combined with Schultz’s Human Capital theory. Concurrent Embedded Mixed-method research design was adopted. A Census of study of 209 dawadawa processors’ and two purposively selected Business Advisory officers participated. Data was collected using Questionnaires, Interviews, Focus Group Discussions and Observation. The study revealed that the dawadawa processors’ access to Business Development Service has proven to be significant in improving their ability such as branding and packaging, contributing to family basic needs and creating employment for most women in the District, as confirmed by the hypothesis that, “Access to Business Development Service has a significant influence on dawadawa processors’ performance”. However, there are constraints preventing the majority benefiting from the Service. Dawadawa processors are highly constrained with not having much information regarding how and where to benefit from the available Business Development Service under the Business Advisory Centre. In order to keep dawadawa women informed about Business Development Service existence, the study recommended that the Advisory Centre must intensively carry out education programs such as the use of the community radio, and mentorship. But the radio program should be broadcasted at night (7:00pm 8:00pm) where these women would have time to listen.