The state and the development of small-scale industry in Ghana since c.1945
Since c.1945, there has been an 'explosion' of small-scale industrial activity in Ghana. This thesis attempts to explain why this has happened. First, developments in small industries during the colonial period are analyzed. Using new sources of data, it is argued that indigenous industries survived this period and were of significant importance by the end of British rule in 1957. Next, changes in the size and sophistication of these industries in the postcolonial period are quantified. It is estimated that, between 1960 and 1984, the number of workers employed in this sector more than doubled. There was also a clear increase in the small industry sector's sophistication. A significant part of the thesis concerns government policy towards small industries since c.1945. Extensive use is made of newly-released archival material, particularly from the Nkrumah years (1951 to 1966). It is argued that, in general, government policies cannot explain Ghana's small industry expansion: although some governments have championed the cause of small industrialists, their small industry development programmes have been relatively small. Also, some government policies actually have prevented small industry growth. Given that
Ball, Rajiv
History
The state and the development of small-scale industry in Ghana since c.1945. Since c.1945, there has been an 'explosion' of small-scale industrial activity in Ghana. This thesis attempts to explain why this has happened. First, developments in small industries during the colonial period are analyzed. Using new sources of data, it is argued that indigenous industries survived this period and were of significant importance by the end of British rule in 1957. Next, changes in the size and sophistication of these industries in the postcolonial period are quantified. It is estimated that, between 1960 and 1984, the number of workers employed in this sector more than doubled. There was also a clear increase in the small industry sector's sophistication. A significant part of the thesis concerns government policy towards small industries since c.1945. Extensive use is made of newly-released archival material, particularly from the Nkrumah years (1951 to 1966). It is argued that, in general, government policies cannot explain Ghana's small industry expansion: although some governments have championed the cause of small industrialists, their small industry development programmes have been relatively small. Also, some government policies actually have prevented small industry growth. Given that
state development small_scale industry ghana since since explosion small_scale industrial activity ghana attempt_explain happen first development small industry colonial_period analyze using new source data argue indigenous industry survive period significant importance end british_rule next change size sophistication industry postcolonial period quantify estimate number worker employ sector double also clear increase small industry sector sophistication significant_part concern government_policy towards small industry since extensive_use make newly archival_material particularly years argue general government_policy explain ghana small industry expansion although government champion cause small industrialist small industry development programme relatively_small also government_policy actually prevent small industry growth given