Assessing the Impact of Effective Institutional Capacity on Advocacy for Microfinance Firms – A Case Study of Northern Ghana

This research investigates microfinance institutional capacity, the ability and readiness of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) engage in advocacy in order to achieve a better and efficacious regulatory framework for successful microfinance operations in the Tamale Metropolis, the Capital City of Northern Region in Ghana, West Africa. MFIs covered in this work are those whose mission and vision mandates them to empower women through the provision of broad micro financial services that can improve the financial circumstances of women. The study critically reviewed a sample of MFIs and analysed issues pertaining to institutional capacity building of MFIs and the link to advocacy that could spark favourable policies toward successful empowerment of women. Gathering data encountered enormous challenges but the researchers’ deep insight in the local terrain assisted in collecting sufficient data required for the achievement of research objectives. The research utilised qualitative techniques since the objectives of the study was to develop non-quantifiable insights. Data was therefore dissected using content analysis which assisted in highlighting emerging themes for analysis and findings. From the analysis, the researchers discover that MFIs covered in this study were bereft of plausible advocacy strategy capable of favourably influencing policy reforms that can engender women empowerment. Besides, employees of the MFIs lack requisite advocacy skills and what is more, there appears to be a conspicuous absence of short or long term strategy to equip employees with requisite advocacy expertise. The study discovers MFIs in Tamale Metropolis that seek to expand the frontiers of women empowerment through advocacy achieved very little results.