1. UNIVERSITY OF GHANA
SOCIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
NAME : SELASE KWAMI
I.D.NUMBER : 10452218
COURSE : SOCI 305 RESEARCH METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY
LECTURER : DR MRS SYLVIA GYAN
INTERVIEW REPORT OF A MEMBER OF GHANA'S INFORMAL
SECTOR
2. DECLARATION
I declare that I have fully undertaken the interview reported .This work submitted as research
report to the Department of sociology in University of Ghana, is the result of my own effort and
that it has not been presented elsewhere for any other academic purpose.
I also declare that opinion conveyed in this work is solely my responsibility. Ideas, views and
other opinions that are not my own and all references cited therein have been accordingly
acknowledged.
DEDICATION
I humbly dedicate this research work to GOD almighty. I again dedicate it to my parents, and
siblings not forgetting my loved ones Victor, Mohammed, Janet and Salomey for their prayers,
love, support and benevolence throughout my study.
All I say is may God richly bless you all. Amen.
3. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
First and foremost, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and thanks to my lecturer, Dr.
Mrs. Sylvia Esther Gyan and her teaching assistant Mr. Martin Luther. There are not enough
adjectives to describe how valuable your guidance was for me during this research. You are
indeed, a very dedicated and inspiring lecturer.
I also want to express my appreciation to my good friends, Evans, Emmanuel, Ebenezer, Gilbert
and Victor for their opinions and encouragement towards the success of my interview and report.
Finally, I want to also express my sincerest gratitude towards my interviewee for his honesty,
patience and collaboration during my interview.
ABSTRACT
According to research findings, the informal sector accounts for over 80% of the Ghanaian
workforce. Numerous reasons have been attributed to this. Some include poverty due to the
insufficient employment opportunities made available for the Ghanaian youth.
Research works give varying accounts with regard to the demographic characteristics of the
Ghanaian informal sector. This has contributed to the misconceptions held by many people
regarding people who work in the informal sector. For example, many people consider people in
the informal sector to be illiterate and from poor or underprivileged backgrounds. Some are also
of the view that, some people in the informal sector are ex-convicts or people with a bad
reputation. The aim of this study is to find out the truth regarding the background or history and
the demographic characteristics of a particular member of Ghana's informal sector as well as the
hopes and aspirations of this individual .
4. The methodology employed in this study was qualitative. The instrument used in my study was
the in-depth interview.
Keywords: Informal Sector, Background.
TABLE OF CONTENT PAGE NUMBER
TITLE PAGE 1
DECLARATION 2
DEDICATION 3
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 4
ABSTRACT 5-6
CHAPTER ONE 7
* INTRODUCTION 8
* STATEMENT OF PROBLEM 9
* OBJECTIVES 10
CHAPTER TWO 11
* RESEARCH METHOD 12
CHAPTER THREE 13
* SAMPLING DESIGN 14
CHAPTER FOUR 14
* DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUE 15
CHAPTER FIVE 16
1.1 INTRODUCTION 16
1.2 SUMMARY 16
6. CHAPTER 1
1.1 INTRODUCTION.
According to wikipedia, the informal sector "is the part of an economy that is neither taxed, nor
monitored by any form of government". This sector of the economy includes petty traders and
artisans such as carpenters,masons,tailors etc. It is estimated that Ghana has about 85 percent of
its work force in the informal sector according to (graphic.com.gh).
Many factors have been attributed to this such as high rates of illiteracy and insufficient job
opportunities etc. Due to serious economic challenges over the years, Ghana has struggled with
providing many of her citizens with proper education and training. People who are unable to
obtain proper formal education and training are not able to work in the formal sector of the
economy. As a result, people who are unable to find work in the formal sector take up jobs in the
informal sector in order to survive. Another reason why people in Ghana take up jobs in the
informal sector is due to the scarcity of job opportunities in the formal sector. In most countries
in the world or Ghana in particular, many university graduates find it very difficult to get
employment in the formal sector. This is because, there are very few jobs available in the formal
sector. Due to this reason, graduates who are unable to find work in the formal sector, turn to the
informal sector for their source of livelihood.
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
Many have wondered why there are many people partaking in the informal sector of the
Ghanaian economy. It seems that, despite numerous attempts by the Ghanaian government to
7. create more jobs in the formal sector as well as create incentives to encourage training and
education, there are still many people who are unable to gain employment in the formal sector.
This current situation is not ideal for a developing nation like Ghana. This is due to the fact that
it is difficult for the state to collect tax from people working in the informal sector. This has
serious implications for the nation since she is unable to receive enough funds from taxes in
order to address her numerous developmental challenges. Due to the economic challenges which
are prevalent in Ghana, people who engage in informal economic activities as a means of
survival cannot be blamed in any 'shape or form'. However, the state should encourage and
support them by creating an enabling environment within which their business ventures can
thrive and grow. The state also needs to find a means of collecting taxes from people in the
informal sector as it would be of great benefit to the entire nation.
1.3 OBJECTIVES
The main objective of this study is to find out about the life history of someone in the informal
sector.
Specific Objectives
The specific objectives are as follows :
i. To find out about the background of someone in the informal sector.
ii. To examine the demographic characteristics of someone in the informal sector.
iii. To find out about the hopes and aspirations of someone in the informal sector.
8. CHAPTER 2
1.1 INTRODUCTION.
This chapter addresses the techniques, skills, data collection methods and instruments used to
conduct this research . My main priority is to discover the life history, background as well as the
demographic characteristics of someone in the informal sector of the Ghanaian economy.
1.2 RESEARCH METHOD
The research method used in this study is qualitative. I used the qualitative research method
because, the main objective of my study which is to find out about the life history of a member
of Ghana's informal sector necessitated that I employ the qualitative method rather than the
quantitative method. Qualititative research method involves gaining an understanding of
underlying reasons, opinions and motivations. The rationale for my choice of the qualitative
research method is due to the fact that it provides me with detailed information or insights which
help to explain why an individual would engage in informal economic activities.
I conducted an in-depth interview with my respondent Mr Traitu Michael after debriefing him
about my study. Although I had prepared a set of questions to ask my respondent, I also asked
him certain follow up questions which depended on the responses he gave. After conducting the
9. interview, I transcribed the audio recording of the interview.
CHAPTER 3
1.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter addresses the type of sampling design used in the study. I used the non-probability
sampling method known as purposive sampling. According to (dissertation.laerd.com), purposive
sampling involves the use of the researcher's discretion when selecting his/her respondents as a
result of the demands or objectives of the study he or she is conducting.
1.2 SAMPLING DESIGN
My choice of the purposive sampling design is due to the fact that the objectives of my study
necessitated that I select a member of Ghana's informal sector and gain insights regarding his life
history, demographic characteristics hopes and aspirations etc. I selected Mr Traitu Michael
because, he speaks very good english and can comprehend as well as answer my questions
accurately.
10. CHAPTER 4
1.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter discusses the data collection method(s) used in the course of the study. I used the in-
depth interview in collecting my data from my respondent. According to ( www2.pathfinder.org),
in-depth interviewing is, "a qualitative research technique that involves conducting an intensive
individual interview(s) with a respondent(s) to explore his/hers or their perspectives on a
particular idea, program, or situation.
1.2 DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUE
During my initial meeting with my interviewee, I debriefed him on the purpose of the interview
to my study and assured him of the confidentiality of his responses.
Before the interview I had already designed the structure of the interview that I sought to
undertake. First of all I wrote my introduction for the interview as well as a set of chronoligally
structured questions. These questions aimed at gaining insights into the life history of my
respondent, his demographic characteristeristics as well as his hopes and aspirations in life.
However, I also asked some follow up questions which are not among the questions I initially set
out to ask my respondent. I concluded my interview by thanking my respondent for his time and
collaboration during the entire process.
In-depth interviews have numerous advantages. According to (dn2.hubspot.net) in-depth
interviews allow participants to express their views without bias from other participants.
Furthermore, in-depth interviews also elicit more information from a respondent than a
11. questionnaire for example. Unlike questionnaires, the respondent is not limited in any way
when providing his/her responses in an in-depth interview. The in-depth interview captured three
important aspects of information. These include the life history of the respondent, the
demographic characteristics of the respondent as well as the hopes and aspirations of the
respondent.
CHAPTER 5
1.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter of the research focuses on the conclusion, which is the deduction of information
from the obtained data. It also seeks to provide reasonable recommendation as far as information
made out of the data collected is concerned.
SUMMARY
After interviewing Mr Traitu Michael, I found out that he is highly educated, a graduate of the
University Of Ghana for that matter. I also found out that he inherited the shop he currently runs
from his mother. Michael also expressed his hopes of becoming a great fashion designer in the
future.
CONCLUSION
Contrary to public misconception, I found out through my interview with my respondent that not
12. all people who work in the Ghanaian informal sector are illiterate. I also discovered through my
interview that the major reason why people engage in informal economic activities is primarily
due to the difficulties of obtaining employment in the formal sector. Finally and most
importantly I also discovered during the interview that not all people in the informal sector are
poor. This is because, Michael in his responses stated that trading enables him to 'get by' or make
a living. He also alluded that the income he generates is sufficient for his needs.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on my finding, I recommend to all stakeholders in particular the government should
continue to create more job opportunities so that people in the informal sector who desire to
work in the formal sector can have that opportunity. Secondly, I also encourage government to
offer support be it monetary or logistics to people in the informal sector to help them grow their
businesses as this would only have numerous benefits for the entire economy of Ghana. Finally, I
also urge the government to also find innovative ways of obtaining taxes from people who work
in the informal sector as it is done in other developing economies such as Kenya.
REFERENCES
Retrieved on (5th
September, 2015), From : dissertation.laerd.com
Retrieved on (11th
October, 2015), From: dn2.hubspot.net
13. Retrieved on (21st
October, 2015), From: graphic.com.gh
Retrieved on (5th
September, 2015), From: www2.pathfinder.org
Retrieved on (1st Deptember, 2015), From: wikipedia.org/wiki/Informal_sector
APPENDIX.
TRANSCRIBED INTERVIEW
GOALS OF INTERVIEW: TO IDENTIFY SOMEONE IN THE INFORMAL
SECTOR. TO FINDOUT THE BACKGROUND,OCCUPATION,HISTORY,
HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS AS WELL AS THE DEMOGRAPHIC
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RESPONDENT.
Introduction by Interviewer : My name is Selase Kwami. Iam here to
interview Mr Traitu Michael who is a trader at the night market at University
Of Ghana main campus. Mr Traitu Michael please introduce yourself.
Introduction by Interviewee : Iam Michael Traitu Mawuli and I have a shop
at the University of Ghana night market which is shop number 12.
Interviewer : How was life for you growing up ?
Interviewee : Life for me as a child wasn't too easy or too hard. I had most of
my schooling here in Legon. I went to the University Of Ghana Primary
School then I went to Presec Legon, the University Of Ghana Legon and now
14. am self employed. Actually, this shop belongs to my mother but since she is
now too old to keep selling, I am now incharge of trading in the shop.
Interviewer : What were your hobbies as a child ?
Interviewee : At first, I wanted to be a military man. After seeing my friends
playing basketball and football, I wanted to join them but my father would
not allow me. At SHS, I had a trial with the basketball team but I injured my
knee whilst playing and after the injury I decided not to play again. These
days, I try to go to the gym from time to time.
Interviewer : Would you want to pursue your hobby of playing basketball
again ?
Interviewee : To become a basketball player ? I think that at the moment, am
too old for that but I would love to join the military.
Interviewer : You mentioned in your introduction that you are a graduate.
How has your formal education helped you in your self employment ?
Interviewee : It has helped me mainly in terms of managing businesses. In
secondary school, I studied visual art and wanted to be an artist. However, in
Africa if are talented at art it is difficult to find someone to sponsor you. For
this reason, I decided to go into business or the management of my mother's
shop. So I would say in this regard, that my education has helped me a lot.
Interviewer : At the moment, do you wish that you could continue with your
education ?
Interviewee : Yes, but not here in Ghana since, as you and I know education
is very expensive in the country. I would rather like to further my education
abroad.
Interviewer : With regard to your marital status, are you single and searching
or single and waiting ?
Interviewee : At the moment am not single but in a relationship. Iam not
15. ready to marry as am not settled down yet.
Interviewer : Mr Traitu Michael what motivates you ?
Interviewee : I will say that it is my Dad. Although I was stubborn as child,
my Dad never gave up on me and continued to change schools for me to
ensure that I continue my education.
Interviewer : What religious denomination do you belong to .
Interviewee : Iam christian. My church is known as the united church. This
because it composes of members from various christian denominations.
Interviewer : How has your religion shaped your perspective on life and your
career ?
Interviewee : My religion has really helped me. My church sometimes
sponsored my education especially at the SHS level. Even when I pray to
God, I know he answers my prayers although I do not always get direct
answers to my prayers.
Interviewer : As you have mentioned in our interview thus far, you are an
academic, an artist and a businessman. Do you think that multi-talented
people like yourself are sometimes faced with a challenge of a lack of focus ?
Interviewee : I think that the government should stop focusing solely on
providing education for graduates. I also think that the government should
prioritise more on providing employment for talented individuals instead.
This is because, knowledge is not only obtained from school.
Interviewer : What advice would you give to your age mates or those
coming up ?
Interviewee : I would say that if you have something you can do with your
hands, at least try to bring it out. This is because, life is not all about the
school you have been to but rather what you can do with your hands.
Interviewer : Finally,Mr Traitu, if we are to fast forward to twenty to thirty
16. years from now, what would you wish to have accomplished ?
Interviewee : I have alot of things in my head that I wish to accomplish in the
future. One of my future aspirations is to open a lot of big businesses and the
other is to become a great fashion designer.
Conclusion : Thank you very much Mr Traitu. It's been a pleasure
interviewing you. I have learnt a lot from you and I know that whoever
listens to this interview would also learn a lot.
