Home-Based Enterprises as an Informal Economic Activity: A Case of GA Mashie in Accra, Ghana

ABSTRACT 

The study sought to identify changes that home-based enterprises have undergone in Ga Mashie, an urban community in Accra. The research further explored the gender dimensions as well as the benefits and challenges of home-based enterprises in the study area. In all 200 questionnaires, 24 in-depth interviews, 3 focus group discussions and personal observations were used to collect the data for analysis. The study revealed that there have been significant changes in home-based enterprises in the community. The changes were seen in the total number of people engaged in the enterprises as well as the locations of the enterprises. In addition, it also reflected on the organisation and types of labour used in the enterprises. These modifications in the enterprises were closely associated with the coming of the Europeans in 1482 as well as the changes in the political and economic policies of the country after the colonial era. The analysis shows that, women dominated trading home-based enterprises and the use of personal savings as well as loans from friends and family members as an initial source of capital. Men on the other hand, dominated the services and manufacturing enterprises as well as the use of formal loans as an initial source of capital. The results again showed that, the operators derived their main sources of income from the enterprises and they are able to perform their household chores. Despite these advantages, the enterprises were limited by competitions, fear of evictions, lack of space and access to formal loans. The research recommends that, more youth development centers should be set up in the community by governments and NGOs to help train the youth in skills related home-based economic activities.