The Role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to Employment in Ghana

Abstract

The study used descriptive statistics design type to assess the role that MSMEs are playing with respect to employment in Ghana. The study adopted the methodology employed by Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) to undertake a nationwide survey on the Integrated Business Establishment Survey II (IBES II, 2016). It used the data generated by GSS from IBES II 2016 Survey report. The data set used included the employment levels (numbers), size and the status of employment (permanent and temporary) offered by MSMEs in Ghana. It was revealed from the study that the MSMEs in Ghana offered employment of about 82 percent to the working population in the country with marked differences in the regions. Out of the employment offered by MSMEs in Ghana, about 81 percent is for permanent whilst 86 percent is for temporary employment. The Micro enterprises employed larger percentage of the working population than the Small and Medium enterprises. We are recommending that the central, regional and district structures of governance in the country should continue to initiate, develop and implement pragmatic policies that will enhance the growth of the MSMEs’ sector in the country. The programmes and policies to enhance the growth of the Sector should be focused on specific areas and size of the MSMES. The MSMEs sector at all levels is still confronting with both endogenous and exogenous challenges such as access to funds, lack of managerial skills and applications of appropriate technologies, registration and regulations issues as well as record keeping and access to international market. All stakeholders in the sector should work hand in hand to resolve these challenges for optimum operation of the MSMEs in the country to help reduce the unemployment situation in the country.