Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) And The Livelihoods Of Informal Workers: The Case Of Head Porters In The Greater Accra Region Of Ghana

Abstract

This study examined the effects of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on the livelihoods of head porters and the coping strategies employed in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology involving semi-structured interviews and participant observation with 30 head porters at the Agbogbloshie and Makola markets and Tema station in order to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected their livelihoods and the coping strategies employed in mitigating the effects of the pandemic. The study found that head porters went through different experiences including cases of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic particularly when lockdown measures were implemented in Ghana. The findings also revealed that as part of their experiences, given the precarious nature of their work, many head porters were faced with financial difficulties and became susceptible to COVID-19 infections. Notwithstanding, the study showed that the head porters were proactive in adopting coping strategies, prominent among them included reliance on their social networks particularly family and friends while others resorted to mitigating the effects of the pandemic on their livelihoods by drawing from their personal savings and seeking support from government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Generally, the findings in this study indicate the lack of effective social protection mechanisms for vulnerable groups in society including head porters in Ghana. The study therefore recommends the need for provision of skills training and enactment of laws and policies to promote the wellbeing of head porters