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ent and that other agencies such as MFIs should be called on board with a pre-defined role of ensuring that they are able to impact positively on the livelihood of their clients.

Summary of Findings Objective 1

Findings from this research on the role of these MFIs have shown that MFIs have indeed contributed positively to the development and the creation of employment opportunities within the Kumasi metropolis. No wonder Kumasi has become one of the commercial centres in the country. During the 2007 fiscal year alone, GCSL and FASL paid over GH￠54,846,273.00 as loans to SMEs as against GH￠197,675.00 mobilised through savings. In other to reach out to more customers, additional branches have been opened in new Tafo, Bantama, Tanoso and Adum.

The research also revealed that these MFIs have an effective way of recovering loans with an appreciable rate varying between 90.2% - 96.6%. Though this is encouraging, it has been argued that these rates fall below the international standard of measuring micro finance recovery rate which is 98%. This has accounted for the increasingly falling rate of total loan grants.

Summary of Findings Objective 2

On the impact of MFIs on poverty reduction, it was established that there has been a positive impact with about 85% of those interviewed admitting they are able to access certain facilities that hitherto they found difficult. The income earnings has considerable increased per week as against the standard of measurement set in the GPRS I (2000:39), which recognizes all earners of income less than GH90.00 per annum to be poor. Aside the monetary indicators, respondents are also able to meet some of the social indicators of poverty.

These improvements were attainable through the additional services provided by these MFIs. According to the research, aside its lending role, it also act in an advisory capacity teaching clients basic accounting book keeping and sound financial management. This has helped in expanding the operation of SMEs and discovery of auxiliary ventures. Additionally, the frequent visit of field officers and the daily claim of “Susu” have overwhelmingly inculcated in these SMEs the habit of savings.

However, respondents expressed discomfort with the sky-rocketing interest rate of about 33%. The stringent terms of conditions to be met has left many SMEs outside the reach of these MFIs. SMEs are required to meet a minimum amount of savings for a period of 6 months. Though the eligibility criteria advocate group guarantee among others, those without groups are required to provide some form of collateral, which is sometimes difficult to come by.

Summary of Findings Objective 3

The research also unearths some of the challenges faced by management of these MFIs. Management has found it always difficult in managing SMEs without permanent structures. Majority of these SMEs are petty traders and hawkers whose movement are determined by market forces.

Controlling field officers has been a matter of concern with fears of officers disappearing with collected funds. The inability of these MFIs to meet the stipulated standard of 98% set by the international micro finance institution has become a problem.

6.2 conclusions

Ghana is one of the countries with majority of its population subject to extreme poverty. A