Based on our careful study of all MBA, MSc. and MPhil. research papers on-line from institutions such as the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the University of Cape Coast for the past 5years of graduate student, in the area of SMEs development in Ghana, have all focused on identifying the importance and the vital role played by SMEs in the economic development and growth of Ghana. From such an angle, those research papers turn to focus on the problems impeding SMEs impact by macroeconomic indicators of Ghana.
Arguments have been narrowed down to one, if not the almighty, which is the inability of micro and small-business owners to access financial support in Ghana.
Such knowledge input has become more damaging than a blessing in the aspect of clear and sound information to drive the development of the entire ecosystem of the SME sector in Ghana. For instance, the present perception that 95% of SMEs in Ghana blame their unbridled under-development and virtual extinction on lack of capital support and the inaccessibility of funds from the financial sector is a false doctrine. (BGi; 2014)
What we have identified as researchers in Bastiat Ghana, is that most students working on such research areas, find it easier to choose topics that relate to SMEs and Financing. This is because there are a lot of old research papers on-line which could address their secondary source of data collection very easier, but are not really addressing the 2010-2014 challenges facing the SMEs ecosystem of Ghana. Furthermore, students really focus on grades and qualifications, not on knowledge findings to impact the society, has led to numerous misleading information that distort sound knowledge that drive the development of SMEs? growth in Ghana.
The nature of SME ecosystem of Ghana according to Ghana Statistical Service as at 2010 report indicates that; Micro Scale Enterprise (1-4 employees) = 54.4%, Small Scale Enterprise (15-19 employees) = 39.2%, Medium Scale Enterprise (20-49 employees) = 4.0%, Large Scale Enterprise (50 employees and above) =2.3%.
After a careful perusal and analysis of available research papers and our experience from our field work with SMEs, here are some observations and recommendations in building a case study for PhD research,
1. It has been identified that, there is an easy graduation from Micro to Small scale enterprise in the SMEs ecosystem of Ghana but scholars have not yet been able to define the percentage of such progression within certain period of time to support scientific analysis and thus cannot determine the impact of such transformation to the economic development of Ghana.
2. There is breaking-line between the graduations of Small scale to Medium scale enterprise, again from Medium to Large scale enterprise. This calls for a new knowledge finding, a module that will let that breaking link connect, which will lead to a well defined arithmetic formula of linear progression from micro to large scale enterprise. This, as it is believed, will aid in deciphering the economic impacts. It is asserted that, this will also lead to cogent and constructive arguments on issues of corpus in the future.
These, according to Bastiat Ghana are the case studies that, they request PhD. students working on SMEs development in Ghana on both local Universities and especially University of Leipzig in Germany to focus on. And it is only on that basis that, Bastiat Ghana could give you it full support in all expected areas for a successful development of new knowledge to address challenges of the society.
Source:
Tweneboah Senzu PhD.
Managing Director
Bastiat Ghana Institute
[email protected]
