Street hawkers in Accra are calling for the regulation of their activities as a response to the rising unemployment rates in the country.

Despite the harsh conditions—enduring the intense heat and the constant risk from passing vehicles—the number of street hawkers in Accra continues to grow daily.

According to the latest labour statistics, over 1.8 million Ghanaians are currently unemployed, with the unemployment rate standing at a staggering 14.7%.

Street hawkers, like Sumaya Mohammed and Betty Abosore, who spoke to Channel One News, attributed their situation to the lack of sustainable job opportunities. They urged the government to regulate their trade, allowing them to earn a living without facing constant harassment from city authorities.

Data from the Ghana Statistical Service shows that mobile businesses, including street hawkers, have increased due to the need for visibility and affordability.

Dr. Anthony Krakah, Head of Industrial Statistics, noted that hawking is often an accessible option for those without capital to start larger businesses.

He said, “Hawking is one of the easiest activities you can do because of the cost implications. Because people do not pay rent to enter a hawking business and so in terms of capital when people do not have the capital, they choose hawking. Also, many businesses have found a way of increasing their visibility by engaging people to undertake mobile businesses, so this is one of the issues”.

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly by-law prohibits street vending, but hawkers continue to operate, seeking a compromise.

They advocated for the creation of an Association of Hawkers to regulate their business and provide a safe working environment.

Urban planning expert Dr Bennard Abeiku Arthur, in an interview with Channel One News, suggested designating specific areas for hawkers, away from streets, and incorporating urban planning considerations into policymaking.

He emphasised the need for stakeholder deliberation and planning to address the issue.

He said, “You cannot formalize everything about employment but it is necessary to look at where to situate particular functions. It is not everybody that can go to the shopping mall or formalized market.

“So the fundamental thing has to do with people’s response to arranged functional placement. It is possible to kind of manage the informal sector but I think it must be based on clear arrangements that will be designed together with them (hawkers).”

He added, “You have a population which is 52% urban. It is a major issue- in an urban environment, water sanitation, urban employment even urban agriculture a major issues. So you have to have a clear policy on how you want to deal with urban issues and rural issues. And then your strategy will indicate how to go about it”.