The impact of small scale welding industries on rural development- prospects and challenges in

Abstract

This study sought to investigate into the impact of small scale welding industries on rural development, the prospect and challenges in Wa West district of the Upper West region. The population of the study consisted of members with electricity in their homes in some selected communities in the Wa west districts. Convenient sampling was used to select members of the sample frame. Two sampling techniques were employed in collecting the data. Thus, probability sampling and non probability sampling. Purposive sampling technique was used to select particular sample participants from 20 communities who are involved in welding activities. The researcher used instruments like questionnaire, informal interview, focus group discussion and personal observation. In the analysis of data, the responses were presented using tables and figures. The evidence of the impact of small scale welding industries included employment, economic growth, entrepreneurial development, and poverty alleviation. The study also revealed some challenges facing the small scale welding industries which included financial problems, management issues, sociocultural problems, inadequate basic infrastructure and multiple taxation. Finally, some suggestions and recommendations have been made at the end of the findings and these include, motivation of the unemployed youth to go into small scale welding by government, taxation and other militating factors be relaxed if not completely removed and internal and external factors to be put in check. These will help stakeholders in their efforts to put structures in place to facilitate the activities of small scale welding industries.