Abstract:
Consumption of fast food has become the order of our time especially among the working
population and students, who buy lunch from restaurants or street food vendors. Although,
fast food is seen to be simpler and more convenient than home-cooked meals it has been
identified to have some attendant health challenges. This study was therefore designed to
evaluate the socio-economic impact of the fast-food industry in Ghana with specific focus on
the Birim central Municipality. The design was a descriptive survey and data was collected
using a quantitative method. A purposive sampling approach was used and a sample size of
120 participants, made up of seventy (70) consumers, thirty (30) food vendors and twenty
(20) Municipal Assembly staff returned their questionnaires. A five-point likert scale with 28
questionnaire items was used to collect quantitative data. Descriptive and inferential statistics
were used as the statistical tools for analyzing the data. Findings of the research revealed that
the average person located within the Birim Central Municipality consume fast food four
times or less within a week. The study further revealed that the fast-food business provides
employment for a number of people who are mostly within the youthful age bracket of
between 20 to 45 years. Additionally, the fast-food industry is a source of revenue generation
to the Municipal Assembly. In spite of the socio-economics benefits findings also revealed an
attendant environmental and health challenges associated with the fast- food industry with
improper and indiscriminate plastic waste disposal being key. Based on the findings and
discussions the study recommended among other things that other sources within the food
service industry such as chop bars should also be sampled to ascertain their socio-economic
benefits as well as health challenges. Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies need
to develop, implement and enforce regulations or bye-laws that would properly regulate the
operations of the fast-food industry within the various communities. Further research into the
fast-food business across the country is also recommended.
Description:
A Dissertation in the Department of HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM EDUCATION
Faculty of VOCATIONAL AND 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 (Catering and
Hospitality Education) degree.
January, 2022