Abstract:
The study assessed the contribution of the basket weaving industry to
poverty reduction in the Bolgatanga Municipality. The study covered 206
weavers, five leather workers, five straw sellers, two dye sellers, two exporting
companies and three institutions that support the basket weaving industry. The
study used accidental and purposive sampling methods and employed the
exploratory research design. The main research instruments used for the data
collection were interview schedule, interview guide and focus group discussion
guide, while the SPSS was used for the data analysis. The study revealed income
as the main motivation for weaving. The long standing problem of inadequate
credit due to high interest rates and stringent collateral requirements involved in
accessing bank loans as well as the low performance of promotional institutions
affected the development of the industry in the municipality. The study
recommended; the coming together of all stakeholders in the industry to
determine a common price for the baskets so as to enhance the income of the
weavers; the formation of weavers’ groups to access micro credits to purchase
raw materials to ensure continuous production of the baskets as well as the
extension of the services of the promotional institutions to cover the weavers in
their strides to reduce poverty.
