Investigating The Socio-Economic Challenges Faced by Female Migrant Hawkers at The Kasoa Toll booth

Undergraduate thesis submitted to the Department of Business Administration, Ashesi University. Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.Ghana, like many developing countries, experiences a high rate of internal migration (rural-urban migration). This type of mobility is many times performed by people moving from rural dwellings to urban centers in search of economic opportunities. Over the years, women's participation in Ghana's rural-urban migration streams has seen a rise and street hawking is one of the popular informal economic opportunities taken up by female migrants in Ghana’s urban spaces. Despite its opportunity for financial freedom, the job is characterized by harsh working conditions, insecurity and the risk of physical harm and abuse. The objective of this study is to recommend solutions for sustainable, long-term positive impact in the lives of female migrant street hawkers by focusing on those who work near the Kasoa Tollbooth. To achieve this, the research asked questions concerned with why the females migrated and what socio-economic challenges they faced. The study also looked at whether the females still believe that the decision to migrate was the correct one, given different factors. The research was analyzed using the qualitative phenomenological approach which is advantageous in its ability to capture the experiences and essence of a phenomenon from the perspective of participants. Primary data was collected on the street hawkers at the Kasoa Tollbooth in the form of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. From the research, it was found that the female migrant hawkers at the Kasoa Tollbooth face many socio-economic challenges including injuries, illnesses, harassment by officials and theft. According to the respondents, the best way to help them achieve their long-term goals involves financial assistance either to open a shop, further one’s education or pursue a career with an existing skillAshesi Universit

Investigating the socio-economic challenges faced by female migrant hawkers at the Kasoa Tollbooth

Undergraduate thesis submitted to the Department of Business Administration, Ashesi University, in partial fulfillment of Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, May 2022Ghana, like many developing countries, experiences a high rate of internal migration (rural-urban migration). This type of mobility is many times performed by people moving from rural dwellings to urban centers in search of economic opportunities. Over the years, women's participation in Ghana's rural-urban migration streams has seen a rise and street hawking is one of the popular informal economic opportunities taken up by female migrants in Ghana's urban spaces. Despite its opportunity for financial freedom, the job is characterized by harsh working conditions, insecurity and the risk of physical harm and abuse. The objective of this study is to recommend solutions for sustainable, long-term positive impact in the lives of female migrant street hawkers by focusing on those who work near the Kasoa Tollbooth. To achieve this, the research asked questions concerned with why the females migrated and what socio-economic challenges they faced. The study also looked at whether the females still believe that the decision to migrate was the correct one, given different factors. The research was analyzed using the qualitative phenomenological approach which is advantageous in its ability to capture the experiences and essence of a phenomenon from the perspective of participants. Primary data was collected on the street hawkers at the Kasoa Tollbooth in the form of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. From the research, it was found that the female migrant hawkers at the Kasoa Tollbooth face many socio-economic challenges including injuries, illnesses, harassment by officials and theft. According to the respondents, the best way to help them achieve their long-term goals involves financial assistance either to open a shop, further one's education or pursue a career with an existing skill.Ashesi Universit

An assessment of the potential impact of constructing the Kwabenya - Kitase road on the local economy

Thesis submitted to the Department of Business Administration, Ashesi University College, in partial fulfillment of Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, April 2015Road construction typically confers significant benefits on the population the road serves. In spite of these benefits, many roads in rural regions of developing countries such as Ghana are in a deplorable state. The recent rapid growth of urban residential areas in Ghana, however, has necessitated the construction and rehabilitation of the roads linking these areas to major commercial towns in the country. The Kwabenya (Abuom) to Kitase area is a typical example. This study assesses the impact of constructing the Kwabenya (Abuom) - Kitase road on the local economy. This research drew heavily on primary data. However, some secondary data was also used in this research in telling the story of the Kwabenya - Kitase road. The study made extensive use of questionnaires and interviews. 100 questionnaires were sent out to inhabitants and non-inhabitants of the area and 2 interviews were conducted. The research results revealed that, agricultural production was perceived by several respondents as significantly being improved by the construction of the road. The study however, identified other major sectors to be affected as education, real estate, arts, entertainment and recreation, construction and hospitality. It was also seen that in spite of the positive impacts, a construction of the road was likely to come along with some negative implications such as the destruction of arable land and a consequent change in the livelihoods of inhabitants, especially within the Agyemanti - Kitase area. The study established that constructing the Kwabenya - Kitase road was likely to boost the local economy. It also established from responses that there was the concern that an influx of businesses is likely to diminish arable land for construction and commercial purposes. The study noted that local community participation should be increased in constructing the Kwabenya - Kitase road. Also, maintenance culture needed to be enforced to sustain the benefits of the road.Ashesi University Colleg

Assessing road construction: potential impact of constructing the Kwabenya Kitase road on the local economy

Road construction typically confers significant benefits on the population the road serves. A recent rapid growth of urban residential areas in Ghana has necessitated the construction and rehabilitation of the roads linking these urban areas to major commercial towns in the country. The Kwabenya (Abuom) to Kitase area, straddling Ghana’s Eastern and Greater Accra regions, is a typical example. Using both primary and secondary data sources, the research reveals that agricultural production is perceived by several respondents as likely to be improved by the construction of the road. Several major sectors of the economy, such as education, real estate, arts, entertainment and recreation, construction and hospitality are also identified as likely to be improved by a better road network. In spite of these positive impacts, the research identifies certain negative implications of a construction of the Kwabenya-Kitase road. These include dust, noise and the destruction of arable land and a consequent change in the livelihoods of inhabitants, especially within the Agyemanti-Kitase area. It is established that constructing the Kwabenya-Kitase road is likely to boost the local economy, as long as an effective maintenance culture is enforced. However, responses also show a concern that an influx of businesses is likely to diminish arable land for construction and commercial purposes.Ashesi University Colleg

Agronomic potential of “Dodzi”, an extra early-maturing maize cultivar

Production of short-cycle crop varieties reduces the risk of crop loss due to terminal droughts and ensures early harvest to fill the hunger gap. Two experiments were used to determine the yield potentials of elite extra-early (75- 80 days) maturing maize (Zea mays L.) varieties to recommend the best extra-early variety for commercial productionand use in Ghana. In the first experiment, two extra-early and eight early (90-95 days) maize varieties were evaluated in replicated field trials at 10 research stations in 1995 and 1996. In the second experiment, thetwo extra-early varieties, one recommended early variety, and the farmers’ check variety were evaluated at 38 and 28 farm sites in 1995 and 1996, respectively. Mean grain yields across the 10 on-station sites in 2 years were 3.5, 4.1, 4.6, and 3.4 t ha-1 for NAES EE W-SR (extraearly), NAES Pool 16 DT (extra-early), Dorke SR (early), and the farmers’ check variety, respectively. Mean yields of the four varieties across 66 farm sites in both years were 3.2, 3.4, 3.4, and 3.6 t ha-1, respectively. NAES EE W-SR was the earliest of all the varieties tested and the farmers’ variety was latest. Food preference tests showed that NAES EE W-SR was comparable to the farmers’ check variety in suitability for local dish preparations. The National Variety Release Committee subsequently approved and released NAES EE W-SR under the local name “Dodzi”. “Dodzi” is recommended for early planting and harvesting throughout Ghana