More money, new household cultural dynamics: women in micro-finance in Ghana

Abstract

This article reports on research into the impacts of micro-finance on gender roles, the extent to which socio-cultural factors influence these changes, and how such changes affect the wellbeing of rural Bogoso households in the Wassa West District of Ghana. Findings indicated that micro-finance has changed men's and women's control over decisions and resource allocations, which consequently affected financial responsibilities and the education of children, and largely contributed to household well-being. However, the small size of the loans was a limitation. The article concludes that socio-cultural factors may promote or inhibit wellbeing in rural households, and that micro-finance is not a sufficient tool in itself to promote women's and households' well-being. It is recommended that if rural people's well-being matters, collaborative efforts in the appraisal, monitoring, and evaluation of micro-finance initiatives, with the government providing leadership, are imperative.

‘Youthscapes’ and escapes in rural Africa: Education, mobility and livelihood trajectories for young people in Eastern Cape, South Africa

“…The majority of work required of young people or available to them is unpaid and occurs within the household (Andvig, 2001:6, 13). Recent trends such as the widespread development of women's microfinance enterprises across sub-Saharan Africa may have actually increased requirements for children's labour, especially girls (Arku and Arku, 2009). Any lucrative NGO incentives, by contrast, are commonly appropriated by adults.…”

Subjunctive Masculinities: Making Men Through Music and Ritual in Northern Ghana

“…The crisis of masculinity in the Global South has received more attention in the last two decades or so, predominantly from the social sciences, with much excellent work addressing the impacts of male disempowerment in the era of "development" (Cleaver 2002;Boyle 2002;Gutmann 1996). The research on men and masculinities in sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, highlights the unique political and economic situations of men navigating a world in which deeply entrenched ideas about gender roles are being altered by forces seemingly beyond their control, drawing attention to the relationship between men's abilities to be breadwinners and and their identities as men (Arku and Arku 2009;Bolt 2010;Cornwall 2003;Luning 2006;Morrell and Ouzgane 2005;Ouzgane and Morrell 2005;Overa 2007;Silberschmidt 2005;Smith 2017). Scholars such as Matlon 2011and Weiss (2009) have demonstrated how this predicament is especially challenging for African male youth.…”

Contextual Factors Which Affect the Success of Microcredit Programs Among Women

“…Limited savings and lack of access to credit make it difficult for many women in Africa to become self-employed and to undertake productive employment and income-generating ventures (Ganle, Afriyie, & Segbefia, 2015). Microcredit programs for women have thus emerged and are currently being promoted as both a solution to women’s limited access to credit, a strategy for poverty reduction and women’s empowerment (Afrane, 2002; Arku & Arku, 2009; Ganle et al, 2015; Haile, Bock, & Folmer, 2012; Schindler, 2010).…”