Abstract/Summary

The Akan are a cluster of ethnic groups in West Africa. Some are indigenous entrepreneurs that are thriving in Ghana’s modern economy. In contrast, Ghana has a growing youth unemployment challenge. In recent years much research has been conducted globally in indigenous knowledge systems, however there is little focus on individual ethnic groups and their entrepreneurial knowledge. Africa as the second largest continent with the highest number of entrepreneurs, consists of hundreds of ethnic groups, languages, and cultures, each with its own indigenous knowledge systems. This empirical, qualitative study aimed to explore the Akan indigenous entrepreneurship knowledge systems (AIEKS) as a viable pathway to youth employment. Can AIEKS be used to drive successful businesses within the modern Ghanaian economy? Key objectives included the identification, use and possible future applications of AIEKS. My thesis research identified nine Akan indigenous entrepreneurs operating in farming, construction, publishing, fashion design, herbal medicine, and soap manufacturing. The methodology was empirical within an interpretivism theoretical perspective, utilizing qualitative case studies of the nine indigenous Akan entrepreneurs. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted on their business premises providing opportunities for observation of the products. Thematic analysis was used to identify common themes in the data. Some major themes emerging included 1) indigenous entrepreneurship education and educators, 2) business skills, 3) indigenous financial strategies, 4) knowledge intersections 5) resilience, and 6) government intervention. The study found the entrepreneurs received indigenous education through family members, community experts and the wider community. The indigenous education was flexible but structured into four main phases. Students started at age six and graduated at age sixteen to twenty years, with significant business skills to commence their own businesses. Many innovative financial strategies that lowered the vbarriers of entry into entrepreneurship for financially disadvantaged youth were identified. The study proposes the integration of Akan indigenous entrepreneurship education into the formal educational system at primary and secondary level to ensure that all secondary school students graduate with an entrepreneurial mindset and the business skills needed to start their own businesses.