Challenges of small scale furniture industry in the Sunyani municipal assembly of Ghana

Abstract

This research was aimed at examining the performance of small scale furniture industry in Ghana. The objectives that guided the research were to find out the challenges associated with sourcing of fund by small scale furniture companies, the challenges associated with obtaining raw materials by small scale furniture companies, the technology used by the small scale furniture companies and marketing challenges of small scale furniture companies in Ghana. The study used cross-sectional of descriptive survey design to purposively sampled 200 small scale wood/furniture worker in Sunyani Municipality. The major findings were; convenience and accessibility, overall quality of service, time to process application, business terms and conditions, relation with account manager and less documentation required as the challenges of sourcing funds. With regard to the challenge in obtaining the traditional wood for products, findings revealed per the analysis that, getting of quality wood came first with the mean score of 5.43, followed by securing permit to bring bush cuts to the workshop with the mean score value of 5.31. Transportation of raw material to the workshop was third with the mean score value of 4.80 while least forth position was inaccessible kilns to season wood with the mean score value of 4.52. The study revealed by majority 86(46%) agreement they use both portable machine and simple hand tools. The high mean score of 3.80, 3.35, 3.23 and 3.31 indicating restrictive attitude towards technology dissemination, reliance on the infrastructural support, pool manufacturing practices and working conditions and development of indigenous technological skill and know-how respectively were found to be the major challenges the respondents faced in technology application in furniture industry. Study finding also records the respondents’ views that my products are made only for the local market and very quality, I don’t know how to export my products, I supply my products to schools, hospital and offices and I produce my products to the taste of the local people. Finally, the study found transporting products outside the country the security harassment is too much, export duty challenges, unavailability of space to showcase my products and financial constraints as the challenges in marketing furniture products.