An Evaluation of the Prospects and Challenges of Informal Entrepreneurs in Accra: Lessons from Agbogbloshie Market

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the prospects and challenges of informal entrepreneurs in Agbogbloshie and to further examine how market men and women personally seek steps to curb the challenges they face. Data was gathered from 23 informal entrepreneurs in Agbogbloshie Market through face-to-face interviews with the help of an interview guide and analysed thematically. The findings of the study show that, despite the contributions informal entrepreneurs make to the growth of the economy, they face constant harassment by city authorities; and the inability to acquire space/ land for business. Moreover, they encounter invasion of counterfeit foreign products, as well as economic conditions that hamper their business operations. Unlike earlier studies, this study found that branding is used as a strategic tool to personally curb the challenges faced in the sector with regards to invasion of foreign products. Further, through this study, it is found that informal institutions contribute to the growth of challenges faced by informal entrepreneurs. The study recommends that government brings out clear policies to address the needs of informal entrepreneurs, and not a policy that is geared towards harassing them.