Pathways to Gender-Inclusive Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Sectoral Analysis – Ghana Report

The multi-partner, “Pathways to Gender-Inclusive Economic Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Sectoral Analysis” study encompasses 13 countries including: Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. Through a combination of primary and secondary research, the study identifies the growing economic sectors in each country that hold the most promising and lucrative opportunities for women, especially young women. The study also reviews the cultural norms, policies, legal provisions, skillsets, and other factors that can support women’s success in the workforce and as entrepreneurs in those growing sectors, including the positive potential role for cooperatives.

Ghana has made great strides towards gender equality in education and health. With one of the highest rates of women’s business ownership globally, women entrepreneurs are key contributors to Ghana’s economy though they remain concentrated in informal businesses and at lower levels of value chains. Implementing supporting policies and programmes for women entrepreneurs is key for higher productivity.

The Ghana country report covers the Agriculture (Cocoa), Fishing and Aquaculture, and Manufacturing (Textiles and Garments) sectors, including sector-specific key findings and proposed policy and programmatic recommendations.