The Role of Mobile Phones in the Social Lives of Informal Micro-Women Traders in Accra

Abstract

This article explores the functional role of mobile phones in livelihood development of Ghanaian women in the informal economy. With a qualitative approach and the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) providing a guide to the study, women micro-traders in four markets were interviewed to ascertain the spill over effects of mobile phones in trading onto in their social lives. The findings of the study showed that the integration of mobile phones into trading activities reduced transaction and transportation cost as well as wastage which in turn led to earning of better incomes. With such better incomes the livelihood outcomes of these traders have improved as they have become financially empowered to the extent of becoming sole breadwinners of their families and households, gain recognitions in the groups/associations they belong to and enhanced their socio-economic status. Such financial empowerment has changed the previous traditional trend of men being financially in charge of their families and households. Mobile phone, as livelihood asset (physical asset) has therefore led to better livelihood outcomes through the livelihood strategies, (i.e. market trade) these women traders involved in. With good livelihood outcomes, these women have overcome vulnerabilities and marginalisation in the Ghanaian economy