Marijke A. A Okyireh¹, Kwabena Nkansah Simpeh^2,

The authors explored the four dimensions (meaning, competence, choice, impact) of psychological empowerment in a sample of six rural entrepreneurial women at Amhrahia-Otinibi, a village in rural Greater Accra Region, Ghana. The findings indicate that these rural women engaged in entrepreneurial activities find their job more important and meaningful. The women were also reported to have an appreciable level of competence to manage their business. In addition, the findings showed that the women had a greater level of autonomy, independence, and freedom to manage their business. Furthermore, these women are reported to having control and significant influence over what happens in their business. The findings offer preliminary evidence that rural women engaged in entrepreneurial activities feel much empowered. These outcomes provide valuable insight to using entrepreneurship as a strategic tool to empower women in rural communities.

psychological empowerment, entrepreneurial activity, entrepreneurial women, rural women, rural setting, Ghana