Green business practices among women business operators in selected regions in Ghana: Challenges and opportunities

The operation of green businesses has gained popularity around the globe because they are sustainable and have the potential to reduce harm caused to the environment. Women are instrumental in promoting green activities worldwide, making it necessary to involve women in this cause. The study assessed green business operations among women informal business operators in selected districts in Ghana's Ahafo, Bono, Bono East, and Northern regions. Responses for the study were obtained from 145 women business owners. Descriptive statistics and binary logit regression were used to analyse the objectives of the studies. It was found that 35.2 % of the women were involved in green activities, of which 51 % had obtained some formal training (on production and marketing). It was also revealed that training in green practices and knowledge of the existence of green businesses influence women's engagement in green activities. The common challenges faced by the operators were related to the acquisition of funds, equipment and inputs. Despite this, there are market opportunities for products such as honey, shea butter, snails, mushrooms, grasscutter, rabbits, soaps from plant products, and fish. It is recommended that there should be more education to increase women's knowledge of green practices, operations and also, how they can acquire funds for their green businesses. The originality of this study lies in its focus on informal women entrepreneurs in rural Ghana, an area that has received limited scholarly attention in green business research. By highlighting the specific barriers and opportunities within this context, the study provides valuable insights that can inform policy decisions and future interventions.