SPATIAL ORGANIZATION OF SMALL-SCALE INDUSTRIES IN THE KASENA-NANKANA DISTRICT OF GHANA: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT PLANNING OF THE DISTRICT

Abstract

This paper entails an analysis of the spatial organization of small-scale industries in the Kasena-Nankana District of Ghana within the context of regional development and decentralization. It examines the driving forces that give rise to the existing spatial pattern, assesses the spatial and functional linkages of such industries and determines the their implications for district development planning in Ghana. Through a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, the paper draws on the empirical evidence on how small-scale industries organize production and marketing activities in space. The findings show that small-scale rural industrialists organize most of their production and marketing activities within their respective communities of residence. Although small-scale industries were found to have both spatial and functional linkages in their operations, these linkages were weak and manifest in weak industrial economic ties between rural service centers and the district capital, Navrongo and between rural service centers themselves. The findings also show that the driving forces that gave rise to the existing spatial patterns are economic and social - specifically including the distribution and availability of raw materials, accessibility to market in the district capital, small size and community based nature of their operations, and the social networks of rural industrialists. Given the spatial variations and multiplicity of challenges that affect development of small-scale industries, it is proposed that an integrated approach that emphasizes geographic targeting toward the development of small-scale industries within the framework of district development planning is more appropriate in Ghana. Notably, the development policy at this level ought to focus on enhancing spatial and functional linkages - between rural and urban, agriculture and industry, and between small-scale industries themselves in order to maximize production and marketing opportunities for local economic development.