Abstract:
This study sought to investigate into the impact of small scale welding industries on
rural development, the prospect and challenges in Wa West district of the Upper West
region. The population of the study consisted of members with electricity in their
homes in some selected communities in the Wa west districts. Convenient sampling
was used to select members of the sample frame. Two sampling techniques were
employed in collecting the data. Thus, probability sampling and non probability
sampling. Purposive sampling technique was used to select particular sample
participants from 20 communities who are involved in welding activities. The
researcher used instruments like questionnaire, informal interview, focus group
discussion and personal observation. In the analysis of data, the responses were
presented using tables and figures. The evidence of the impact of small scale welding
industries included employment, economic growth, entrepreneurial development, and
poverty alleviation. The study also revealed some challenges facing the small scale
welding industries which included financial problems, management issues, sociocultural
problems, inadequate basic infrastructure and multiple taxation. Finally,
some suggestions and recommendations have been made at the end of the findings
and these include, motivation of the unemployed youth to go into small scale welding
by government, taxation and other militating factors be relaxed if not completely
removed and internal and external factors to be put in check. These will help
stakeholders in their efforts to put structures in place to facilitate the activities of
small scale welding industries.
Description:
A Dissertation in the DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, Faculty of TECHNICAL EDUCATION, submitted to the School
of Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba in partial fulfilment of
the requirement for the award of the Master of Technology Education
(Mechanical Technology Education) degree
AUGUST, 2017