How Small Enterprises in Ghana Have Responded to Adjustment

Ghana is often cited as an African country that has undertaken major macroeconomic reforms with generally positive results for economic growth. Within Ghana's industrial sector, the effects of structural adjustment policies have differed among subsectors and firms. Little is known, however, about the impact of adjustment on smaller firms. A survey of small-scale enterprises (SSEs) was carried out in November 1989 to learn more about the impact of the adjustment program on their operations, to evaluate their potential contribution to dynamic industrial recovery, and to identify appropriate measures that would accelerate the growth of SSEs in numbers, size and productivity. Specific objectives of the survey were to : 1) learn more about the characteristics of small firms and their owners; 2) analyze how policy changes have affected small firms, highlighting entrepreneurs' strategies for adapting to their new environments; and 3) identify constraints to the future growth of small firms. Results show that adjustment policies have forced the SSEs to become more competitive to survive and that significant structural changes are taking place across subsectors and within firms. The overall business environment has generally improved during the adjustment program, although shortcomings remain. Uncertainty about political and economic stability and lack of finance appear to be the most immediate restraints on investment.