Craft industry, livelihoods and community wellbeing in the Akuapim South District

Abstract

The decline in the production and sale of handicrafts and wood products has substantially caused decline in the values and volumes that meets its global demand. The endogenous theory assumes Small and Medium scale Enterprises to be a driver of internal development. These Small and Medium-scale enterprises are capable of serving as a pillar to the private sector in Ghana of which the craft industry is a sector. One variable of social development is the wellbeing of the people. Thus, the researcher was motivated to explore the craft industry, livelihood and community wellbeing in Akuapim South District. The emphasis was on the production level of the craft industry. The study used interpretive paradigm with interview guides and observations which helped to know the livelihoods (means and strategies) of the people in the district who are craft workers. The study pointed that some crafters only engaged in craft business as their sole source of income while others supported it with alternative sources. The study also found out that their income gains were dependent on the customer base. It was recommended that the Akuapim South District Assembly and the Association Heads should re-organise their strategies to improve their selling opportunities on international market.