The Role of Microfinance Institutions in Disaster Management A Case Study of Upper West Region -Ghana

This paper studied the role of Microfinance Institutions in Disaster Management in the Upper West Region of Ghana. The methodology used was both secondary and primary data. Stratified sampling method was also used. The total population was 200 with a sample size of 95 disaster victims and five Microfinance Institutions. The main objective of the study was to find out how Microfinance Institutions assist their clients in times of disaster. The study found that 40% of the victims received reliefs from some Microfinance Institutions, just as 30% received relief items from other organizations. It indicated that female forms the largest percentage of victims during disaster constituting 65% whiles their male’s counterparts constitutes 35%. The study also established that Moslem victims formed the majority of disaster victims with 67% whiles Christians constitutes 33% of the victims. The research revealed that 5% of the victims received support from family and friends whiles 25% of the victims did not received any assistance at all. The study further shown that, 90% of those victims who accessed the loan facility have paid back with the required interest. Based on the above findings the paper recommended that stakeholders in disaster management should ensure that all disaster victims benefits from the relief items. Microfinance Institutions should endeavor to develop special loan products for disaster victims. Keywords: Disaster management, microfinance, beneficiaries, Ghan

An Analysis of the Determinants of business growth in Ghana: A study of Wa Municipal in the Upper West Region

Sources of firm growth and development have received much attention in the field of research. These studies vary in content and perspective. Changes in the size of firms are therefore extremely important events in a firm’s demography. The growth of firms has consequences for employment and consequently economic growth. The objectives of this study are to explore the factors that affect business growth and the determinants of the size of business. The techniques used for data collection included questionnaires and interviews. Purposive sampling was employed to identify the sample. For robustness, both parametric and nonparametric methods were combined for the analysis. Further, simple regression analysis was used to ascertain the factors that affect the size of businesses. Correlation analysis was employed to examine the nature of the relationship between firm size and other variables. Furthermore, Pearson’s chi-square test of independence was also used in the study. The correlation analysis showed that business age had a positive and statistically significant association with business size. The regression analysis revealed that business age and record keeping had significant impacts on business size. For policy, business start-ups should be encouraged supported to survive over time. Keywords: Business size, Business age, Ghana JEL Classification: C21, D22, L25, M2