Dr Jones Adu-Gyamfi - Youth Entrepreneurship and Micro-finance in Ghana

Our final presentation in the LUCAS Autumn Term Seminar Series will be delivered by Dr Jones Adu-Gyamfi from the University of Bradford. Dr Adu-Gyamfi will be delivering his paper entitled 'Youth Entrepreneurship and Micro-Finance in Ghana".

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. Is this a sustainable way to address youth unemployment in the country?

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 UK and Africa. He is currently a fellow of the John and Elnora Ferguson 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 public policy from Royal Holloway, University of London.