Women's Contribution to Local Economic Development : A Study of Women in Cassava Production and Processing in Central Tongu District of Ghana

The agriculture sector is the predominant employer of the active workforce in Ghana. Among this workforce, women constitute majority which invariably imply their role cannot be overemphasized. This study therefore examines how the socio-economic characteristics of women affect local economic development through cassava production and processing in Central Tongu district of Ghana. A proportional stratified probability sampling with simple random sampling technique was used to select 171 respondents out of 296 in the sampling frame. The paper finds educational level and family size to be significantly related to cassava production and processing in the district. Cassava production and processing was observed to be a profitable economic activity. The paper therefore suggests that government through its decentralized system should focus on policies that promote cassava-related businesses. Also, the assembly through its Business Advisory Centre should support women with credit facilities through the Microfinance and Small Loans Center (MASLOC) initiative. This will give more meaning to the national development thrust of enhancing sustainable livelihoods among indigenes within poverty-stricken localities