Repositioning the Disabled Entrepreneur Towards Socio-Economic Development: The Case of Sagnarigu District in the Northern Region of Ghana

Abstract

This research is an exploratory one which intends to delve into how disabled entrepreneurs can be better placed to contribute their quota to the socio-economic development of the Ghanaian economy using the newly created Sagnarigu District as a case research. Snowball sampling strategy was used to select 45 disabled entrepreneurs using questionnaires and interviews as research instruments to collect data. Data analysis were done manually and results presented in tables.We found that majority of the disabled entrepreneurs are in their youthful ages. Majority of them do not have the requisite educational qualification even though they contribute meaningfully to employment generation. The research further showed that stigmatization has been a major setback in translating the skills and experiences of the disabled entrepreneur into viable businesses. Also Sole proprietorships is the main form of business ownership operated by disabled entrepreneurs in the District resulting in low asset and their inability to provide collateral to obtain loans for business expansion and improvement.The researchers recommended that government, non-governmental organizations and civil society groups should advocate for the welfare, rights of the disabled, build their capacities to ignite and bring out their untapped skills, experiences and provide avenues for the easy access to information and funding opportunities.International Development organizations and donor agencies like the USAID, UKAID, DFID, World Vision, KOICA, JICA, SNV etc should model or develop projects or programmes specially targeting the disabled to make them socially inclusive and bring out their untapped skills, experiences and innovative ideas for economic development

Keywords: Disabled, Entrepreneurship, repositioning, socio-economic development, challenges, Sagnarigu District