An assessment of the impact of small and medium enterprises of the Ghanaian clothing sector A case of Amanfrom Municipality in the Ashanti Region, Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess small and medium enterprises of the Ghanaian clothing sector in the Amanfrom Municipality in the Ashanti Region. This study used descriptive research design. Quantitative research approach was used. The population was made up of one hundred and sixty-two (162) SMEs operating in the Ghanaian clothing sector in the Amanfrom Municipality in the Ashanti Region. Simple Random sampling technique was used to select 113 participants for the study. Questionnaires were the main instrument used to gather primary data. The computer statistical package for social scientists (SPSS version 22) was used to process all the quantitative responses from the questionnaire. The study results held that majority 70% of the respondents agreed that in Ghana, small scale enterprises including dressmakers collectively account for more than 70% of the total industrial employment. Moreover, most of the respondents agreed that in Ghana the informal apprenticeship system in which a young person serves under a master for a given period to learn a craft or trade, plays a key role in skill formation in the small-scale dressmaking sector. Furthermore, 85% of the respondents agreed that the training provided by small and medium enterprises of the Ghanaian clothing sector is intended to make them increase their output leading to enhanced revenue streams. There is the need for the government to facilitate the setting up of a special bank which will deal with only SME’s issues.