Microcredit and the Socio-cultural Obstacles to Women’s Empowerment in Northern Territories of Ghana

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of microfinance programmes on women’s empowerment in the northern territory of Ghana, which is known as the poorest part of the country. A survey methodology is used to collect data from a sample of 247 female entrepreneurs and their husbands (189 women and 58 men) in rural areas. The majority of the sample are aged 40 or below, and many are illiterate. The research findings indicate that although microfinance appears to have some positive effects on women’s income, it is insufficient to ease the hardships in the lives of women in northern Ghana. Most female respondents indicated that women are largely forbidden by men to own productive assets such as land and livestock. The traditional domineering behaviour of men remains a significant obstacle. Despite the increase in access to credit, microfinance itself may not be sufficient to eliminate barriers to women’s empowerment and to the reduction of poverty.