Description

Informal worker Martha Kotey sells fabrics in Makola Market. For more than 17 years now, Martha has been trading in fabrics, first in brightly coloured printed clothes and now in school uniform fabrics. Changing businesses to school uniform fabric was a deliberate decision and market opportunity, she said. "People are opening different schools, education is moving forward, that's why I want to trade in school uniforms," she explained. Martha's transition in trading goods demonstrates the entrepreneurism of many street vendors, who continually aim to maximize their sales and profits by selling goods in high demand. Martha is one of the more than 2,000 members of the Makola Market Traders Union, an affiliate of the Ghana Trade Union Congress. Its main intervention activities include development projects in the market and negotiations with local and national government for better conditions for its members. FULLY RELEASED - CONSENT NUMBER: ACC005