Assessing the Contribution of Rural Banks to Agribusiness Performance in Ghana.

Assessing the Contribution of Rural Banks to Agribusiness Performance in Ghana.

Samuel Bassah Quansah

Agribusiness in Ghana is considered the catalyst for economic growth and poverty reduction. It is a business solution to rural poverty and food security if redistribution mechanisms work. The agribusiness initiative is both a strategy to accelerate development and a business solution to rural poverty and food security. Ghana’s vision is to make agribusiness a more profitable business entity to curb poverty and improve food security. It is based on this vision that the government of Ghana introduced banking systems in the rural areas (rural banking) to help the rural dwellers whose main economic activity is agriculture. Contributions from these rural banks will accelerate the performance of the agribusinesses thereby improving food security in the country. This study examined the influence of rural banks contributions on agribusiness performance in Ghana. The specific objectives of the study were to identify and assess the contributions of rural banks towards agribusiness, in relation to performance and food security in Ghana. These objectives were achieved through the various primary and secondary data collected from the respondents in the ten regions of Ghana. Each region was assigned 40 respondents or agribusinesses making a total of 400 agribusinesses in Ghana. The study revealed a positive relationship between rural bank’s contribution and agribusinesses’ performance. Although the agribusinesses are doing well, they face several challenges. However, in order to improve agribusiness performance, these challenges identified in the study have to be looked at.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Business Administration

Ghana Technology University Library

March 2017