Browsing by Author "Boateng, D.A."

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Accidental Opportunities? Women in Family Businesses Taking the Lead in a New Market Economy in Accra, Ghana
(ADVANCES IN SOCIAL WORK,, 2022) Boateng, D.A.
Social workers have been working to empower women of diverse backgrounds across several practice settings. However, for women entrepreneurs in Ghana generally and those in family businesses specifically, some socio-cultural factors have persisted to hinder their abilities to promote and sustain their businesses. This paper describes the ways in which women in family businesses in Accra, Ghana have identified and leveraged opportunities presented by structural, cultural, socio-economic, and technological changes to ensure the success of their businesses. The study employed a qualitative research approach with purposive and snowball sampling used to identify and interview 15 women in family businesses. Findings indicate that women in family businesses in Accra, Ghana have creatively made use of the changing socio-cultural and economic landscape of the country to promote their businesses through three main trends which are significant in business growth: the advent and increasing use of social media, innovative business practices, and weakening patriarchy. We recommend that social workers apprise themselves of contexts which have unequal consequences for women and mobilize around these changes to help women entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the opportunities that are being offered in Ghana’s emerging economy.
Experiences of female academics in Ghana: Negotiation and strengths as strategies for successful careers
(African Journal of Social Work, 2018-03) Boateng, D.A.
Throughout history, women have been tasked with caring for children and keeping homes; being good wives to their husbands and mothers to their children. Women who pursue professional careers, therefore, are met with hostility, ridicule and other forms of social sanctions, especially if the field is considered to be the preserve of men. A few decades ago, the field of academia was considered an exclusive domain for men. While women have broken into and are doing well in academe, they face several challenges, many of which are rooted in patriarchy. This notwithstanding, these women have navigated this terrain and made it to the top. Using the strengths-based approach, this paper discusses the various strategies employed by some female academic staff from three public universities in Ghana to overcome the challenges that often serve as a hindrance to women's career advancement in patriarchal societies. The implications of the research for social work practice are discussed.
Pathways for the economic empowerment of female entrepreneurs in emerging economies: Implications for social work
(SAGE, 2021) Boateng, D.A.
In many emerging economies, owning and operating a small/medium-scale business is essential in the creation of wealth, empowering business owners and helping to address the developmental challenges of the society. Although many women are venturing into family businesses in Ghana, there are still some challenges that hinder their economic empowerment. Interviewing 15 women in small, family businesses in Accra, this article identifies three main concerns of the women which are identified as critical pathways that social workers interested in the economic empowerment of female entrepreneurs could follow. The implications of the findings for social work practice are discussed.