This work investigates the role of indigenous African entrepreneurs in the economic development of Ghana during the mid-twentieth century. Peter C. Garlick, drawing upon his research conducted at the University of Ghana, examines the operational methods, capital accumulation, and social constraints faced by local traders. The book argues that these traders were not merely passive participants but active agents whose business practices were deeply intertwined with the broader socio-economic structures of the post-colonial transition. By analyzing specific case studies, the author provides a framework for understanding the challenges of capital formation and the limitations of small-scale commerce in a developing economy.

Experts recognize this text as a foundational study in the field of African economic history, particularly for its empirical focus on indigenous entrepreneurship. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which provides a detailed, granular look at the commercial landscape of Ghana during the early independence era.