Abstract:
Small and medium enterprises have been considered as the engine of economic growth and
for promoting equitable development. The role of small and medium enterprise in the
economic and social development of the country is well established. The sector is a nursery
and as such a pre-requisite requirement of entrepreneurship; often driven by individual
creativity and innovation. The relative importance of small and medium scale enterprises in
advanced and developing countries has led and would continue to lead to a reconsideration
of the role of small and medium scale enterprises in the economy of nations. However, the
case of master craftsmen in the Wa Municipality has not received much attention. This
study sought to: describe the operations of master craftsmen, analyse the contribution of
master craftsmen to the development of the local economy, and to identify the challenges of
master craftsmen in the Wa Municipality. Primary data were collected from 114 operators of
master craftsmen and anlyased using descriptive statistics. The results indicate that master
craftsmen operates in different activities such as motorcycle repairs, Television repairs,
electronic gadget repairs, vehicle repairs, vulcanizing, and welding and fabrication. These
enterprises operate in a small scale with employees not exceeding 5. These enterprises
contribute to employment creation, apprentice training, revenue generation, tax revenue
generation and provision of basic services. The challenges faced by these firms include
inadequate working capital, poor electricity supply among others. The study concluded that
the challenges faced by these firms further places a limitation to which their potentials could
be utilized. It is recommended for stakeholders such as the Wa Municipal Assembly,
National Board for Small Scale Industries to facilitate in the mobilization of these firms in
order to have access to basic services.
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 fulfillment of the
Requirement for the award of the Master of Technology Education (Mechanical)
degree.
