Assessment Of Impact Of The Rural Enterprises Programme (REP) Support Services On The Empowerment Of Local Business Associations In The Ashanti Region Of Ghana

Local Business Associations (LBAs) contribute significantly to economic development. Despite their role and benefits in the local business environment, LBAs in Ghana face many challenges that need timely planned interventions to propel them on the path of sustainable growth and development. This study examined the support for rural micro and small-scale enterprises (MSEs) and partnership building by empowering the local business associations (LBAs) in Ghana. The research design for this study was a survey, quantitative and descriptive in nature. The study employed the use of questionnaires which were administered personally on selected days. Through an evaluation study approach, both primary and secondary data sources were gathered to assess the impact of the Rural Enterprises Programme (REP) support services on the empowerment of local business association in three (3) districts of the Ashanti Region in Ghana. The sample size for the study was four hundred and twenty-three (423) comprising of micro and small-scale entrepreneurs who are members of a local business association mainly within the Ashanti Mampong, Ashanti Akim Central and Ejisu-Juaben Municipalities of the Ashanti Region.