Kpando Woodcarvers and Potters. A Baseline Study and Value Chain Analysis of Craft Artisans in Kpando District in Ghana.

Abstract

In this thesis, the social and economic characteristics of craft artisans, in particular woodcarvers and potters, and their households in Kpando district in Ghana are studied, as well as the organizational structure of the local craft sector and the position of the artisans in the value chain of crafts. Through an analysis of their position in the chain, opportunities have been identified in order to improve the economic benefit for the artisans. A baseline study and a value chain analysis have been the methods used for this research. The research shows that craft making in both groups is the main source of income at household level, however that subsistence agriculture and other rural activities are needed to sustain the livelihoods. One of the main challenges is the clustering of the artisans in effective and efficient producer groups. Improved coordination in the producer bases can lead to scale benefits, as well as to an upgrade of their position in the value chain. At the end of the research, a number of recommendations have been provided on how to improve the different constraining aspects for Kpando’s craft artisans.