Abstract:
This dissertation explores the livelihood experiences and survival strategies of tro-tro driver mates in Tema station, Accra. Tro-tro driver mates are teenagers or young men who assist tro-tro drivers‘ enroute short or long distance travels in mini-buses in Ghana. Many of them are migrants who are believed to have come from other regions of Ghana and have come to settle in Accra to find a better life in the city. As migrants, there is the need to study them to understand the nature of their job, livelihoods experiences and how they are able to cope with challenges on their job. The main objective of this study is to find out the livelihood and survival strategies of tro-tro driver mates in Accra. . The fieldwork was carried out at the Tema station in Accra. Purposive sampling was used to select 50 participants. Data was collected through the use of quantitative and qualitative research methods that include; Surveys, informal interviews, and observation The data gathered was discussed and analysed using SPSS and QSR NVivo approach. The study revealed diverse findings that were interesting and significant. First, it was revealed that, origin of the tro-tro driver mates are between the ages of 15 to 17 years and mostly of Akan followed by Ewe origin. They have had some level of basic primary education and work on an average 17 hours a day. The driver mates earn about GH¢20.00 a day and their main motivation for migrating is ‗to make money‘ to continue education, learn how to drive to earn a better livelihood or state up a trade. Finally, it was discovered through the secondary and primary literature(s) that there were significant differences in income patterns between the kayayei and the tro-tro driver mates but both of them faced a barrage of verbal abuse from their clients; that is buyers or traders and passengers.
