Financial and social impact of microcredit on women beneficiaries in Ghana

Abstract

This paper explored the financial and social impact of microcredit on women beneficiaries in the Lawra District of the Upper West Region of Ghana. The main objective of the study was to investigate the impact of microcredit on women beneficiaries compared with non–beneficiaries. The study was both quantitative and qualitative and made use of both primary and secondary data. The entire sample size of the study was 90 beneficiaries and non–beneficiaries. The study found that microcredit has a significant impact on the entire well being of women beneficiaries and their households compared with non–beneficiaries. The credit has enabled women beneficiaries to improve on their monthly and yearly income, access healthcare, educate their children in schools and enhanced their decision making capabilities and self–confidence compared with the controlled group. The study made some recommendations to MFIs and governments to formulate policies that will enhance access to microcredit.