Microfinance as a Mechanism for Women Empowerment: A Case Study of Techiman Municipality in Ghana
This paper seeks to make an informed contribution to the ensuing debate on the real significance of microfinance as a strategic instrument for poverty reduction with particular reference to the empowerment of women in developing countries. Most women in these countries are faced with certain challenges which hinder the realisation of their full potential of capabilities. After a review of pertinent literature on microfinance and women empowerment, inferences are drawn for subsequent conclusion from a case study of women involved in the operations of the Opportunity International Savings and Loans Limited (OISL), a microfinance institution in the Techiman Municipality in Ghana. A census survey of the target group was intended but the practical realities of capture covered a high of 90 out of the total of 116 women beneficiaries representing a coverage of 77 percent at confidence level of 95 percent with an acceptable 0.05 margin of error.
