SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONSOF HEAD PORTERS IN ACCRA METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

The  purpose  of  the  study  was  to  investigate  the  social  and  economic conditions  of  head  porters  (Kayayei)  in  the  Accra  Metropolis.  This  led  to  the formulation  of  five  research  questions:  what  healthcare  optionsare available to Kayayei?; under what sanitary situations do Kayayei live?; which accommodation options  are  available  to  Kayayei?;  how  much  do  Kayayei  earn  from  their economic activities?; and how do Kayayei manage their finances?The  design  for  the  study  was  the  survey  research  design.  In  all 401 Kayayei  from  four  main  clusters  in  the  metropolis  were  selected  for  the  study. Two  main  instruments  were  used.  These  were  the  questionnaire  and  a  semistructured interview schedule. The study revealed that the ‘Kayayei’ are exposed to health hazards and acute sanitary conditions not to mention the poor accommodationproblems which the  ‘Kayayei’  face.  The  study  further  brought  out  the  financial hardship  to  the ‘Kayayei’ in terms of their daily earnings and how they manage their finances to support their daily needs and even save for future use and investment. Some  of  the  recommendations  include  the  extension  of  micro  financial services, establishment of small scale industries for the processing of shea butter and  other  agricultural  produce,  provision  of  adequate  infrastructure  in  the  rural areas  and  long  term  policies  for  rural  development  will  enable livelihood activities and stem the tide ofthe migration of ‘Kayayei’.