Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang has called for a broader approach to addressing the challenges faced by head porters, known as 'kayayei'. She emphasized that interventions must extend beyond skills training to provide these women with the necessary tools, capital, and opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods. This statement was made during a meeting with a delegation from the Kayayei Association, led by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, on August 11, 2026.
The Vice President stressed that the 'kayayei' phenomenon must be understood within the wider context of migration, inequality, and development. Both economic and social factors influence women's decisions to leave their communities for urban centers. Addressing the conditions that make women vulnerable after migrating to cities is critical for finding a lasting solution to the challenges associated with head porterage.
This initiative aligns with Ghana's ongoing efforts to tackle urban migration and poverty, particularly among vulnerable populations. The government has previously implemented various social protection programs, but the Vice President's remarks suggest a need for more integrated and economically empowering strategies. The 'kayayei' population, predominantly young women from northern Ghana, often face precarious living conditions and exploitation in major cities like Accra and Kumasi.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang stated that while skills development remains an important part of government interventions, such programs must reflect the aspirations of the women themselves. Training must be directly linked to practical opportunities, tools, and capital to ensure that acquired skills translate into sustainable income generation. This approach aims to move beyond temporary relief to long-term economic empowerment.
The Vice President also expressed concern about the welfare of children within 'kayayei' communities. She highlighted the need to make their protection and well-being a central part of any long-term interventions. This includes stronger measures to protect women from exploitation and ensuring that interventions address both their immediate needs and future prospects.
This comprehensive strategy is crucial for Ghana's economic development, as it seeks to integrate a significant segment of the informal workforce into more formal and stable economic activities. By providing capital and opportunities, the government aims to reduce urban poverty and enhance the productivity of these women. This could lead to improved household incomes and better educational outcomes for their children, contributing to broader national development goals.
Professor Opoku-Agyemang commended the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and the Kayayei Association for their continuous engagement. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing a more comprehensive response. This response will focus on creating economic opportunities, strengthening protection mechanisms, and enabling vulnerable women and children to realize their full potential. Future policy implementations will likely focus on pilot programs that combine skills training with micro-financing and market access initiatives.