Evaluating the socio-economic impact of the fast-food industry in Ghana :a case study of Birim Central Municipal in the Eastern Region

Abstract

Consumption of fast food has become the order of our time especially among the working population and students, who buy lunch from restaurants or street food vendors. Although, fast food is seen to be simpler and more convenient than home-cooked meals it has been identified to have some attendant health challenges. This study was therefore designed to evaluate the socio-economic impact of the fast-food industry in Ghana with specific focus on the Birim central Municipality. The design was a descriptive survey and data was collected using a quantitative method. A purposive sampling approach was used and a sample size of 120 participants, made up of seventy (70) consumers, thirty (30) food vendors and twenty (20) Municipal Assembly staff returned their questionnaires. A five-point likert scale with 28 questionnaire items was used to collect quantitative data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used as the statistical tools for analyzing the data. Findings of the research revealed that the average person located within the Birim Central Municipality consume fast food four times or less within a week. The study further revealed that the fast-food business provides employment for a number of people who are mostly within the youthful age bracket of between 20 to 45 years. Additionally, the fast-food industry is a source of revenue generation to the Municipal Assembly. In spite of the socio-economics benefits findings also revealed an attendant environmental and health challenges associated with the fast- food industry with improper and indiscriminate plastic waste disposal being key. Based on the findings and discussions the study recommended among other things that other sources within the food service industry such as chop bars should also be sampled to ascertain their socio-economic benefits as well as health challenges. Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies need to develop, implement and enforce regulations or bye-laws that would properly regulate the operations of the fast-food industry within the various communities. Further research into the fast-food business across the country is also recommended.