Dr Jones Adu-Gyamfi (Bradford): 'Political patronage and youth empowerment: examining young entrepreneurs’ access to micro-finance in Ghana'

The Leeds University Centre for African Studies is excited to announce that Dr Jones Adu-Gyamfi will be visiting the University on 17th October to deliver a seminar entitled 'Political patronage and youth empowerment: examining young entrepreneurs’ access to micro-finance in Ghana'.  As always, our seminars are free to attend and all are welcome. There is no need to register for this event - please just arrive on the day.

Abstract

The research examined micro-finance to youth entrepreneurs in Ghana. The government of Ghana is committed to reducing poverty in the country. However, it has been noted that youth poverty is rising primarily due to rising youth unemployment. As a result many young people are pushed into self-employment but face substantial difficulties in accessing finance for their businesses. The Government of Ghana established the Micro-finance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) to provide micro-finance to small and micro-enterprises to help alleviate poverty in the country. The study examined the youth entrepreneurs’ experience of accessing MASLOC services, the impact that the loans have had on their businesses and their satisfaction with the services of MASLOC. It was found that access to the funds is highly political, with resulting high default rate. The sustainability of Ghana Government’s micro-finance is questioned.

Profile

Dr Jones ADU-GYAMFI is an academic and international social development consultant.  He has worked with and provided research and consultancy services to local authorities and NGOs in England and Ghana. He is currently a fellow of the John and Elnora Fergusion Centre for African Studies, at the University of Bradford where he is also a lecturer at the Social Work Department. His practise and research is focused on children and youth, in particular how public policies impact on children and youth. He holds a BA Social Work from the University of Ghana; MBA from the University of Bradford; MSc Development Planning from UCL University of London; and PhD Social Work from Royal Holloway, University of London.