Formal finance and household enterprise performance in Ghana: The gender dimension.

In this study, we empirically examine the gender dimension of the effect of formal finance on enterprise performance. While the literature suggests that formal finance, in general, improves firm performance, this effect may differ across firms headed by male and female entrepreneurs since the latter are faced with more severe social, economic, and financial constraints, which undermine their firm performance. Consequently, the effect of finance on firm performance is expected to be weaker in female-headed enterprises.

Improving maternal healthcare utilisation in sub-Saharan Africa through micro-finance.

Purpose: This paper aims to examine links between women's access to micro-finance and how they use maternal healthcare services in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Design/methodology/approach: The authors use theoretical and empirical literature to propose a framework to sustain and improve women's access to maternal healthcare services through micro-financing.

Findings: It is found that improved access to micro-finance by women, combined with education may enhance maternal health service uptake.