Constraints of female entrepreneurs in small-scale bakery enterprises in the new Juaben municipality

Abstract

Female entrepreneurship particularly in the informal sector has taken a centre stage among stakeholders and policy-makers in an attempt to provide decent work for women and thereby reducing unemployment in general. According to the Ghana Living Standards Survey Round 6 report, women are the most dominant in the formal sector, which provides jobs for more than 80% of Ghanaians (Ghana Statistical Service, 2013). However, these female entrepreneurs especially those in the bakery industry are overwhelmed by several constraints in their day-to-day business operations. Therefore, this study assessed these constraints and their effects on their businesses, the coping strategies they adopted in order to stay in business as well as the support system available to them. The mixed-method research design was employed and it involved 20 female bakery entrepreneurs from the New Juaben Municipality of the Eastern Region of Ghana. Interviews were held with each of the participants and their responses were electronically recorded and later transcribed for analysis. It was found that majority of the participants were aged at least 41 years with 20% of them having no formal education. Also, the constraints experienced by the participants varied with respect to their demographic characteristics. Based on the findings, it is concluded that the universality of their constraints calls for an immediate attention of all and sundry in order for sustainability of their businesses. The study recommended that relevant agencies should regularly organise training programmes for female bakers in the municipality.