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Danso-Wiredu E. Y. (2020). Danso-Wiredu, E. Y. (2020). Saving for one another: the informal economy of subsistence among the urban poor in Ghana. GeoJournal, ,
Abstract
Urban space is monetized. Survival in urban areas is therefore largely dependent on the dictates of methodological individualism, capitalist norms and values, which are invariably linked to rentseeking and instrumentalism in most urban transactions. The urban poor in Ghana, who are mostly informal sector workers, face enormous challenges in transacting with banks and other financial institutions. This challenge, however, does not prevent them from participating in the money market. They devise strategies of savings and acquiring loans largely on interest-free basis. They also invest in informal activities to financially secure themselves and their future. This paper discusses the mechanisms that regulate the institutionalization of informal savings and investments in urban poor communities in Accra and Winneba in Ghana. It is based on a qualitative research conducted between 2014 and 2016 with 133 participants in four Ghanaian communities using purposive sampling technique. The study employs the concept of equality matching to discuss urban financial common strategies. The paper attempts to debunk the hegemony of the capitalist profit perspective in urban transactions, emphasizing that the urban poor in Ghana mobilize their finances through established social relations with largely no profitmaking in mind. Keywords Urban poor · Informal savings · Urban-commoning · Financial strategies · Equality matching · Ghana
Urban space is monetized. Survival in urban areas is therefore largely dependent on the dictates of methodological individualism, capitalist norms and values, which are invariably linked to rentseeking and instrumentalism in most urban transactions. The urban poor in Ghana, who are mostly informal sector workers, face enormous challenges in transacting with banks and other financial institutions. This challenge, however, does not prevent them from participating in the money market. They devise strategies of savings and acquiring loans largely on interest-free basis. They also invest in informal activities to financially secure themselves and their future. This paper discusses the mechanisms that regulate the institutionalization of informal savings and investments in urban poor communities in Accra and Winneba in Ghana. It is based on a qualitative research conducted between 2014 and 2016 with 133 participants in four Ghanaian communities using purposive sampling technique. The study employs the concept of equality matching to discuss urban financial common strategies. The paper attempts to debunk the hegemony of the capitalist profit perspective in urban transactions, emphasizing that the urban poor in Ghana mobilize their finances through established social relations with largely no profitmaking in mind. Keywords Urban poor · Informal savings · Urban-commoning · Financial strategies · Equality matching · Ghana
Danso-Wiredu, E. Y & Sam, E. F. (2019). Commodity-Based Trading Associations at the Agbogbloshie Market in Accra, Ghana. Ghana Journal of Geography, 11,
Abstract
The decentralisation policy in Ghana ensures urban governance is controlled at the local levels. Rules set by state institutions in many cases lack the ability to penetrate into the locality for lack of trust and proper enforcement measures. It is common to find non-state organisations teaming up with the state or independently governing their localities. Such governance extends to market places. The uniqueness of what pertains at the market is the pronounced role women play in it. Agbogbloshie market is one of the largest markets in Ghana. Commodity-trading associations at the market act as governors at the market. The market associations function effectively because they have political power from the state to operate at the local level. The research is based on a qualitative research involving interviews, observation and participant’s observation. The paper discusses the role non-state organisations play at the local level in ensuring sustainable governance, focusing on Agbogbloshie. It stresses on how women possess power in the informal governance systems in Ghanaian markets. It argues that governance system is more effective and well understood at the local level than the state instituted system, and thus concludes on the need for collaboration between the two systems.
The decentralisation policy in Ghana ensures urban governance is controlled at the local levels. Rules set by state institutions in many cases lack the ability to penetrate into the locality for lack of trust and proper enforcement measures. It is common to find non-state organisations teaming up with the state or independently governing their localities. Such governance extends to market places. The uniqueness of what pertains at the market is the pronounced role women play in it. Agbogbloshie market is one of the largest markets in Ghana. Commodity-trading associations at the market act as governors at the market. The market associations function effectively because they have political power from the state to operate at the local level. The research is based on a qualitative research involving interviews, observation and participant’s observation. The paper discusses the role non-state organisations play at the local level in ensuring sustainable governance, focusing on Agbogbloshie. It stresses on how women possess power in the informal governance systems in Ghanaian markets. It argues that governance system is more effective and well understood at the local level than the state instituted system, and thus concludes on the need for collaboration between the two systems.
Sam, E. F., Brijs, K., Daniels, S., Brijs, T., & Wets, G (2020). Testing the convergent- and predictive validity of a multi-dimensional belief-based scale for attitude towards personal safety on public bus/ minibus for long-distance trips in Ghana: A SEM analysis. Transport Policy, 85,
Abstract
We examined the predictive validity of the public bus passenger safety attitude scale (PBPSAS), a measure of personal safety attitude (PSA), to predict future intention to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips. Using 510 adults, we tested among other things the hypothesis that PSA has a positive significant effect on future intentions to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips. Data analyses involved: (1) descriptive analyses of measure reliabilities and the strength and evaluation of people’s safety-related beliefs, (2) fitting measurement and structural models to determine the factorial structure of PSA and (3) path analysis to examine the relationships between two different measures for personal safety-related attitude (indirect (belief-based) measure for PSA and a direct measure) and future intentions to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips. Data analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 25 and AMOS 24. We found that: (1) a second-order factor model provides a more parsimonious framework for explaining PSA than a three-factor model, (2) the indirect measure for attitude towards personal safety has convergent validity, (3) PSA has a positive significant effect on both a direct measure for attitude towards personal safety on public bus/minibus, and future intention to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips and (4) that the direct measure for attitude towards personal safety also has a positive significant effect on the future intention to use public bus/minibus. We thus conclude that PBPSAS is a useful instrument for measuring PSA and is valid in predicting future intentions to use public bus/ minibus for long-distance trips.
We examined the predictive validity of the public bus passenger safety attitude scale (PBPSAS), a measure of personal safety attitude (PSA), to predict future intention to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips. Using 510 adults, we tested among other things the hypothesis that PSA has a positive significant effect on future intentions to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips. Data analyses involved: (1) descriptive analyses of measure reliabilities and the strength and evaluation of people’s safety-related beliefs, (2) fitting measurement and structural models to determine the factorial structure of PSA and (3) path analysis to examine the relationships between two different measures for personal safety-related attitude (indirect (belief-based) measure for PSA and a direct measure) and future intentions to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips. Data analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 25 and AMOS 24. We found that: (1) a second-order factor model provides a more parsimonious framework for explaining PSA than a three-factor model, (2) the indirect measure for attitude towards personal safety has convergent validity, (3) PSA has a positive significant effect on both a direct measure for attitude towards personal safety on public bus/minibus, and future intention to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips and (4) that the direct measure for attitude towards personal safety also has a positive significant effect on the future intention to use public bus/minibus. We thus conclude that PBPSAS is a useful instrument for measuring PSA and is valid in predicting future intentions to use public bus/ minibus for long-distance trips.
Sam, E. F., Brijs, K., Daniels, S., Brijs, T., & Wets, G
32nd ICTCT conference. Warsaw, Poland 24-25 October 2019
Paper presented:
Testing the convergent- and predictive validity of a multi-dimensional belief-based scale for attitude towards personal safety on public bus/minibus for long-distance trips in Ghana: A SEM analysis
Abstract
We examined the predictive validity of the public bus passenger safety attitude scale (PBPSAS), a measure of personal safety attitude (PSA), to predict future intention to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips. Using 510 adults, we tested among other things the hypothesis that PSA has a positive significant effect on future intentions to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips. Data analyses involved: (1) descriptive analyses of measure reliabilities and the strength and evaluation of people’s safety-related beliefs, (2) fitting measurement and structural models to determine the factorial structure of PSA and (3) path analysis to examine the relationships between two different measures for personal safety-related attitude (indirect (belief-based) measure for PSA and a direct measure) and future intentions to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips. Data analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 25 and AMOS 24. We found that: (1) a second-order factor model provides a more parsimonious framework for explaining PSA than a three-factor model, (2) the indirect measure for attitude towards personal safety has convergent validity, (3) PSA has a positive significant effect on both a direct measure for attitude towards personal safety on public bus/minibus, and future intention to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips and (4) that the direct measure for attitude towards personal safety also has a positive significant effect on the future intention to use public bus/minibus. We thus conclude that PBPSAS is a useful instrument for measuring PSA and is valid in predicting future intentions to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips.
We examined the predictive validity of the public bus passenger safety attitude scale (PBPSAS), a measure of personal safety attitude (PSA), to predict future intention to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips. Using 510 adults, we tested among other things the hypothesis that PSA has a positive significant effect on future intentions to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips. Data analyses involved: (1) descriptive analyses of measure reliabilities and the strength and evaluation of people’s safety-related beliefs, (2) fitting measurement and structural models to determine the factorial structure of PSA and (3) path analysis to examine the relationships between two different measures for personal safety-related attitude (indirect (belief-based) measure for PSA and a direct measure) and future intentions to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips. Data analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS Statistics 25 and AMOS 24. We found that: (1) a second-order factor model provides a more parsimonious framework for explaining PSA than a three-factor model, (2) the indirect measure for attitude towards personal safety has convergent validity, (3) PSA has a positive significant effect on both a direct measure for attitude towards personal safety on public bus/minibus, and future intention to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips and (4) that the direct measure for attitude towards personal safety also has a positive significant effect on the future intention to use public bus/minibus. We thus conclude that PBPSAS is a useful instrument for measuring PSA and is valid in predicting future intentions to use public bus/minibus for long-distance trips.
Sam, E. F., Blay, D., Antwi, S., Anaafi, C., & Adoma, J. A (2019). Pre-hospital and trauma care to road traffic accident victims: Experiences of residents living along accident-prone highways in Ghana. In O. Karcioglu & M. Eneyli Emergency Medicine and Trauma. London, UK: IntechOpen.
Abstract
Road traffic accidents (RTAs) and associated injuries are a major public health problem in developing countries. The timely emergency pre-hospital care and subsequent transportation of accident victims to the health facility may help reduce the accident and injury outcomes. Available evidence suggests that RTA victims stand a greater chance of survival if attended to and cared for in a timely manner. This exploratory qualitative study set out to explore the experiences of residents of 12 communities along the Kasoa-Mankessim highway in Ghana (an accident-prone highway) in administering emergency pre-hospital care to RTA victims. We utilised data from a purposive sample of 80 respondents (i.e., people who have ever attended to RTA victims) from the communities through structured interview schedules. We found that the majority of the respondents had little knowledge and/or professional training in first-aid and emergency pre-hospital care to RTA victims. The skills and knowledge exhibited were gained through years of rescue services to RTA victims. The “scoop and run” method of first-aid care was predominant among the respondents. We recommend regular community member (layperson first responder) sensitisation and training on emergency pre-hospital care for RTA victims.
Sam, E. F., Brijs, K., Daniels, S., Brijs, T., & Wets, G (2019). Construction and validation of a public bus passenger safety scale. Transportation Research Part F, 66,
Abstract
Public transport (PT) passengers make safety evaluations, yet to the best of our knowledge, there exists no instrument that captures what is considered by public transport users when they make such personal safety evaluations. What exists is a generalised service quality scale (SERVQUAL). Unfortunately, this scale does not adequately capture the content domain of personal safety which is important to PT users, especially in developing countries where PT vehicle accidents are both frequent and severe. This study discusses the development and validation of a public bus passenger safety scale (PBPSS), for measuring public bus passengers’ safety. The results of two independent studies suggest that the PBPSS measures three facets of public bus passengers’ safety: driver related, transport operator-related and vehicle-related. Through both exploratory Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) (using IBM SPSS Statistics and AMOS respectively), we demonstrated that the new scale is reliable, psychometrically sound and can be utilised to assess public bus passengers’ safety. The 3-factor model observed through PCA was confirmed using CFA, indicating that the same factor structure existed in both datasets. The final 3-factor, 17-item model exhibited an acceptable model fit and evidenced both convergent and discriminant validity.
Public transport (PT) passengers make safety evaluations, yet to the best of our knowledge, there exists no instrument that captures what is considered by public transport users when they make such personal safety evaluations. What exists is a generalised service quality scale (SERVQUAL). Unfortunately, this scale does not adequately capture the content domain of personal safety which is important to PT users, especially in developing countries where PT vehicle accidents are both frequent and severe. This study discusses the development and validation of a public bus passenger safety scale (PBPSS), for measuring public bus passengers’ safety. The results of two independent studies suggest that the PBPSS measures three facets of public bus passengers’ safety: driver related, transport operator-related and vehicle-related. Through both exploratory Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) (using IBM SPSS Statistics and AMOS respectively), we demonstrated that the new scale is reliable, psychometrically sound and can be utilised to assess public bus passengers’ safety. The 3-factor model observed through PCA was confirmed using CFA, indicating that the same factor structure existed in both datasets. The final 3-factor, 17-item model exhibited an acceptable model fit and evidenced both convergent and discriminant validity.
Sam, E. F.
Smart Cities in the 21st century: The Geographers Perspective. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana 6-10 August 2019
Paper presented:
On the intention to cycle for work and school trips in Winneba, Ghana
Abstract
Cycling is a sustainable transport mode and an indispensable feature of a smart city. As an active transport mode, cycling also has health benefits. In developed countries, cycling is a vital transport mode with wide utility; the situation in developing countries is different. Particularly in Ghana, cycling is not a preferred transport mode given the associated challenges of lack of cycling infrastructure, safety concerns and cultural perceptions. Underpinned by the theory of planned behaviour, this study explores the intention to cycle for work and school trips in Winneba. We used the structural equation modelling technique to model the intention to cycle for work and school trips among a convenient sample of 260 staff and students of the University of Education, Winneba. We found low cycle ownership and use among the study participants occasioned by perceived barriers. We also found that participants’ perceived behavioural control (i.e. the extent to which they feel able and confident to cycle) was the most important predictor of their intention to cycle for work and school trips. Participants’ attitudes toward cycling and subjective norms (social pressures to cycle) did not significantly influence the intention to cycle for work and school trips. Measures to promote cycling for work and school trips should reduce cyclists’ exposure to traffic risks by investing in dedicated cycling infrastructure. Creating awareness of the personal and environmental benefits of cycling and providing incentives for cycle use on campus are other useful interventions to promote cycling on campus.
Cycling is a sustainable transport mode and an indispensable feature of a smart city. As an active transport mode, cycling also has health benefits. In developed countries, cycling is a vital transport mode with wide utility; the situation in developing countries is different. Particularly in Ghana, cycling is not a preferred transport mode given the associated challenges of lack of cycling infrastructure, safety concerns and cultural perceptions. Underpinned by the theory of planned behaviour, this study explores the intention to cycle for work and school trips in Winneba. We used the structural equation modelling technique to model the intention to cycle for work and school trips among a convenient sample of 260 staff and students of the University of Education, Winneba. We found low cycle ownership and use among the study participants occasioned by perceived barriers. We also found that participants’ perceived behavioural control (i.e. the extent to which they feel able and confident to cycle) was the most important predictor of their intention to cycle for work and school trips. Participants’ attitudes toward cycling and subjective norms (social pressures to cycle) did not significantly influence the intention to cycle for work and school trips. Measures to promote cycling for work and school trips should reduce cyclists’ exposure to traffic risks by investing in dedicated cycling infrastructure. Creating awareness of the personal and environmental benefits of cycling and providing incentives for cycle use on campus are other useful interventions to promote cycling on campus.
Danso-Wiredu, E. Y.
Development Days 2019 Conference. ‘Repositioning global development: changing actors, geographies and ontologies. Helsinki, Finland 27th February to 1st March, 2019
Paper presented:
Gendered Dynamics and Reciprocity in Fishing Communities in Ghana: The Case of Penkye, Winneba
Abstract
Most fishing communities have preserved their culture and tradition despite the changes in many sectors of the country. For example, in most cases, payments for services provided to fishermen are in kind, with fishes instead of money. This phenomenon is not only common to fishing areas in Ghana but also found in fishing communities in some countries. One peculiar feature of fishing communities is the strict gender division of labour. Again, this is not limited to fishing communities in Ghana but also in other areas Whilst men are responsible for fishing, women are usually involved in basic fish processing and marketing. The gender division roles played by both men and women are culturally embedded in the institutions within the communities. They are pursued in their life courses as institutional norms which no one questions. Both men and women are trained differently by their parents and the community on the roles they play in the fishing industry. They are socially learned as they grow up, the fishing industry shows a classic case of cooperation among men and women where organisation of fishing activities become interdependent. Neither gender would survive without the other. Though women are not involved in fishing, the role women play is as important as that of men, hence, both exercise some authority in their areas of specialization. There are indigenous communities along the coast of Winneba of which Penkye is the oldest with the history of the Winneba revolving around it. Penkye is known for its fishing activities, and for the preservation of the Effutu culture. Fishing activities in the community are done on gender basis as in other fishing communities in Ghana and many parts of the world . Apart from fishing, access to other livelihood assets such as housing is also on gender basis. The history of Penkye is linked to that of Winneba township since it is the first place the Effutu people settled in the town. Located along the coast, majority of its residents are employed in the fishing industry. Intriguing about Penkye is how social and economic livelihoods of residents are entangled in gender roles and reciprocity. The article delves into the institutional embeddedness of fishing and community life. It examines how gender ideologies differentially inform men and women’s roles in the fishing economy. Drawing on interviews conducted with community members, the study constructs economic life stories for men and women within the fishing community. It analyzes how they formulate livelihood strategies differently from other parts of the country as a result. The study concludes that such realities defy the ideologies of the impersonal market economy propagated by the capitalist ideology, thereby questioning the basis of neoliberal ideology that market prices are solely determined by demand and supply interactions.
Most fishing communities have preserved their culture and tradition despite the changes in many sectors of the country. For example, in most cases, payments for services provided to fishermen are in kind, with fishes instead of money. This phenomenon is not only common to fishing areas in Ghana but also found in fishing communities in some countries. One peculiar feature of fishing communities is the strict gender division of labour. Again, this is not limited to fishing communities in Ghana but also in other areas Whilst men are responsible for fishing, women are usually involved in basic fish processing and marketing. The gender division roles played by both men and women are culturally embedded in the institutions within the communities. They are pursued in their life courses as institutional norms which no one questions. Both men and women are trained differently by their parents and the community on the roles they play in the fishing industry. They are socially learned as they grow up, the fishing industry shows a classic case of cooperation among men and women where organisation of fishing activities become interdependent. Neither gender would survive without the other. Though women are not involved in fishing, the role women play is as important as that of men, hence, both exercise some authority in their areas of specialization. There are indigenous communities along the coast of Winneba of which Penkye is the oldest with the history of the Winneba revolving around it. Penkye is known for its fishing activities, and for the preservation of the Effutu culture. Fishing activities in the community are done on gender basis as in other fishing communities in Ghana and many parts of the world . Apart from fishing, access to other livelihood assets such as housing is also on gender basis. The history of Penkye is linked to that of Winneba township since it is the first place the Effutu people settled in the town. Located along the coast, majority of its residents are employed in the fishing industry. Intriguing about Penkye is how social and economic livelihoods of residents are entangled in gender roles and reciprocity. The article delves into the institutional embeddedness of fishing and community life. It examines how gender ideologies differentially inform men and women’s roles in the fishing economy. Drawing on interviews conducted with community members, the study constructs economic life stories for men and women within the fishing community. It analyzes how they formulate livelihood strategies differently from other parts of the country as a result. The study concludes that such realities defy the ideologies of the impersonal market economy propagated by the capitalist ideology, thereby questioning the basis of neoliberal ideology that market prices are solely determined by demand and supply interactions.
Danso-Wiredu, E. Y., Fisker, J. K., & Pugalis, L (2018). The production of slums: Old Fadama as an alternative space of urban dwelling. In Jens Kaae Fisker, Letizia Chiappini, Lee Pugalis, Antonella Bruzzese The Production of Alternative Urban Spaces. London: Routledge.
Abstract
The inability of the Ghana government to provide homes for its low income citizens have forced many urban dwellers to rent ‘cheap’ homes in poor communities or become care takers of uncompleted houses. Old Fadama, the largest squatter-slum community in Ghana is an example of a poor community which accommodate most migrants in Accra, especially those migrating from Northern Ghana. The paper explores how the community with a population of over 80,000 has turned a waterlogged area into a habitable one. Usually the acceptable place to call a home for individuals and families is to reside in houses made up of sleeping, bathing and toilet rooms, but in Old Fadama, residents have one room to call a home. They instead depend on community bathrooms, toilets and restaurants for survival. To pay as low rent as possible, many residents live in what they termed ‘group-rooms’, where rent is shared among the room members. The paper argues that Old Fadama stands out as a community that survive at the blind side of the state. Although, the state has neglected the community entirely in terms of formal governance, the people govern themselves informally by instituting traditional rulers which govern the community as though the people are under formal rules. The paper makes a contribution to knowledge by challenging the concept of housing as an all inclusive components of a living place. A key finding of the chapter is how local associations directly influence access to general housing resources. A relevant contribution made by the paper is how housing is regulated through the lenses of local associations. Processes for accessing housing in Old Fadama is therefore a reaction to the housing market failure.
Sam, E. F., Akansor, J., & Agyemang, W. (2019). Understanding road traffic risks from the street hawker’s perspective. International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion, 26,
Abstract
This study explored street hawkers’ lived experiences and risks in traffic using the phenomenological case study design. Data from 24 hawkers at three hawking spots and field observations form the basis of our study. A stratified purposeful sampling scheme was employed to ensure a balance of gender and age. Thematic data analytic strategy was employed in the data analysis. We found that participants’ traffic incidents were mainly self-induced, attributable to their negligence on the road, indiscriminate road crossing and car-following behaviour. Our results suggest a perceived relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and personal traffic accident encounters. Also, we noted that the ability to manage traffic risk seem to influence hawkers’ traffic risk perceptions, with gender and age as possible mediators. As this study is exploratory, we recommend further scientific enquiry to explain these issues and to provide the basis for appropriate interventions to manage the road safety implications of this activity.
This study explored street hawkers’ lived experiences and risks in traffic using the phenomenological case study design. Data from 24 hawkers at three hawking spots and field observations form the basis of our study. A stratified purposeful sampling scheme was employed to ensure a balance of gender and age. Thematic data analytic strategy was employed in the data analysis. We found that participants’ traffic incidents were mainly self-induced, attributable to their negligence on the road, indiscriminate road crossing and car-following behaviour. Our results suggest a perceived relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and personal traffic accident encounters. Also, we noted that the ability to manage traffic risk seem to influence hawkers’ traffic risk perceptions, with gender and age as possible mediators. As this study is exploratory, we recommend further scientific enquiry to explain these issues and to provide the basis for appropriate interventions to manage the road safety implications of this activity.
