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The Informal Sector in Ghana under Siege

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  • Franklin Obeng-Odoom

Abstract

In order to develop effective policies to improve conditions for people working in the informal sector of the economy, it is crucial to understand how that sector arises, operates, and relates to the state. This article analyses the informal sector in Ghana from this perspective, drawing insight from a wide range of sources such as radio and newspaper accounts to overcome the dearth of official information on the subject. The analysis shows the limits of various approaches that have aimed at revamping the informal sector. It puts the case for a more comprehensive approach to the informal sector than has been evident in previous policies toward the urban economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Franklin Obeng-Odoom, 2011. "The Informal Sector in Ghana under Siege," Journal of Developing Societies, , vol. 27(3-4), pages 355-392, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:jodeso:v:27:y:2011:i:3-4:p:355-392
    DOI: 10.1177/0169796X1102700406
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Appiahene-Gyamfi, Joseph, 2003. "Urban crime trends and patterns in Ghana: The case of Accra," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 31(1), pages 13-23.
    2. Veronica Crossa, 2009. "Resisting the Entrepreneurial City: Street Vendors' Struggle in Mexico City's Historic Center," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(1), pages 43-63, March.
    3. Alderman, Harold & Canagarajah, Sudharshan & Younger, Stephen, 1995. "A Comparison of Ghanaian Civil Servants' Earnings before and after Retrenchment," Journal of African Economies, Centre for the Study of African Economies, vol. 4(2), pages 259-288, October.
    4. John Arthur, 1991. "Interregional migration of labor in Ghana, West Africa: Determinants, consequences and policy intervention," The Review of Black Political Economy, Springer;National Economic Association, vol. 20(2), pages 89-103, December.
    5. Appiahene-Gyamfi, Joseph, 1998. "Violent crime in ghana: The case of robbery," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 26(5), pages 409-424, September.
    6. Appiahene-Gyamfi, Joseph, 2007. "Interpersonal violent crime in Ghana: The case of assault in Accra," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 419-431.
    7. Alan Gilbert, 2007. "The Return of the Slum: Does Language Matter?," International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 697-713, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Franklin Obeng-Odoom, 2015. "The Social, Spatial, and Economic Roots of Urban Inequality in Africa: Contextualizing Jane Jacobs and Henry George," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 74(3), pages 550-586, May.
    2. Franklin Obeng-Odoom, 2016. "The Meaning, Prospects, and Future of the Commons: Revisiting the Legacies of Elinor Ostrom and Henry George," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 75(2), pages 372-414, March.
    3. Ebeke, Christian Hubert & Ntsama Etoundi, Sabine Mireille, 2017. "The Effects of Natural Resources on Urbanization, Concentration, and Living Standards in Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 408-417.

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