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Exploring Financial Inclusion with Village Savings and Loan Associations in Ghana’S Wa-West District

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Exploring Financial Inclusion with Village Savings and Loan Associations in Ghana’S Wa-West District Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2021 Exploring Financial Inclusion With Village Savings and Loan Associations in Ghana’s Wa-West District Jonathan Lanidune Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Jonathan Lanidune has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Victoria Landu-Adams, Committee Chairperson, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Susan Baer, Committee Member, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Dr. Victor Ferreros, University Reviewer, Public Policy and Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2021 Abstract Exploring Financial Inclusion With Village Savings and Loan Associations in Ghana’s Wa-West District by Jonathan Lanidune CEMPA, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, 2014 BA (IDS), University for Development Studies, 2004 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University May 2021 Abstract Financial inclusion (FI) has played a significant role in Ghana's economic transformation but is not widespread in rural areas. Lack of access to FI systems in these areas has increased poverty and induced higher rural-urban migration. Researchers have not explored how village savings and loan associations (VSLAs) can bridge the FI gap in the absence of formal financial institutions. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the VSLAs as a FI model for poverty and vulnerability reduction. Sixteen semi structured telephone interviews were conducted with members of three different groups; VSLA members, community stakeholders, financial stakeholders in Wa West District to gain insight on participants experiences’ regarding VSLA as a FI model. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling. The sustainable livelihoods framework developed by the Department for International Development was the conceptual framework. The framework allows for the analysis of local realities, livelihood strategies, poverty outcomes, and the interrelationship between the outcomes. Seven major themes were identified. The findings revealed that VSLAs have significantly contributed to FI, reduced poverty, and increased participants' social and economic status. Additionally, VSLAs have had an impact on household livelihoods, making community members more resilient to vulnerability. Central government policy regulations are needed to prevent VSLA facilitators from taking undue advantage of some VSLA groups. Findings suggest an increase in FI in rural areas may reduce the economic disparities between rural and urban areas in Ghana leading to positive social change. Exploring Financial Inclusion With Village Savings and Loan Associations in Ghana’s Wa-West District by Jonathan Lanidune CEMPA, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, 2014 BA (IDS), University for Development Studies, 2004 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy and Administration Walden University May 2021 Acknowledgments This dissertation would not have been a success without the contribution of various people and the support I received for my doctoral study. First and foremost, I want to thank my family, especially my wife, Mrs. Alice Dun Domebale Lanidune, and children, Jethro Walier and Juanita Anatama, for their support and understanding during this doctoral journey. Second, I appreciate the immersed contributions of the Walden faculty, whose support made it possible to complete my course worked and ushered me into the dissertation process at Walden University. Also, I appreciate the support of VSLA members in the Wa West District, financial institutions, nongovernmental organizations working with VSLAs, traditional leaders, and the Wa West District Assembly for the information provided during the data collection. Finally, I acknowledge the immeasurable mentorship and guidance of my dissertation committee chair, Dr. Victoria Landu-Adams, second committee member, Dr. Susan Baer, and university research reviewer, Dr. Victor Ferreros, throughout the dissertation study. They provided useful insights and guidance to complete this dissertation. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Background ....................................................................................................................2 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................4 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................7 Research Questions ........................................................................................................7 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................8 Research Design.............................................................................................................9 Nature of the Study ......................................................................................................10 Definitions....................................................................................................................10 Assumptions .................................................................................................................12 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................13 Limitations ...................................................................................................................13 Significance..................................................................................................................14 Summary ......................................................................................................................15 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................16 Introduction ..................................................................................................................16 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................19 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................19 Literature Review Related to Key Variables and/or Concepts ....................................29 i The Poverty and Vulnerability Situation in the Upper West Region.................... 29 Financial Inclusion ................................................................................................ 30 Financial Institutions in the Upper West Region .................................................. 33 Microfinance Operations in Ghana ....................................................................... 34 Village Savings and Loan Association Operations ............................................... 36 VSLA Operations in the Upper West Region ....................................................... 40 Role of VSLA in Poverty and Vulnerability Reduction ....................................... 41 Summary ......................................................................................................................44 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................46 Introduction ..................................................................................................................46 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................47 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................48 Methodology ................................................................................................................51 Participant Selection Logic ................................................................................... 51 Instrumentation ..................................................................................................... 52 Procedures for Recruitment, Participation, and Data Collection .......................... 57 Data Analysis Plan ................................................................................................ 59 Issues of Trustworthiness
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