AFRICAN WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT : GARA CLOTH INDUSTRY EVALUATION REPORT

This special contracted evaluation covers the period 6/76-3/77; no methodology is specified. Although quality, marketable items are being produced, the system for ordering and distributing raw materials to GCC's producer members has been disorganized, and cash payment to the women producing the finished goods is slow. As a result, many members have lost confidence in GCC. Raw materials must be imported with costly Government of Sierra Leone (GOSL) levies (although GCC is eventually reimbursed). Sales and production facilities are outdated and many urban GCC members have sold their goods to separate retail outlets for higher profit. GCC's accounting system is poor, and cost/benefit information has not been provided to GOSL. A GCC Executive Committee (EC) was established, but members require coop-specific management training. Many EC members are illiterate, limiting the amount of management training they can absorb. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the project be redesigned so that: (1) coop management training is given to EC members; (2) a raw materials distribution system is developed; (3) debts are repaid to GCC members; (4) raw materials are purchased in bulk to lower costs; (5) showrooms and garment styles and fabrics are updated; (6) orders are prioritized to assure timely delivery; (7) sales and marketing skills of personnel are upgraded by on-the-job-training; (8) overseas contacts are made to assist in penetrating foreign markets; (9) an accounting design is established for GOSL; (10) GCC is identified by GOSL as a potential source of foreign revenue and contributor to the balance of trade; (11) problems caused by GOSL's import levy are resolved; and (12) GCC is protected against foreign producers who are establishing automated manufacturing centers in Sierra Leone. At the time of this evaluation several problems were resolved, e.g., record-keeping procedures were developed, and designs for a salesroom and production center were drawn up.