Retiring in the Informal Economy: Implications for Social Policy Intervention for Ageing Workers in Ghana

Oteng, Samuel A.; Manful, Esmeranda; Akuoko, Kofi Osei

doi:10.1007/s12126-021-09434-w

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Higher happiness levels, despite financial deprivation, may also emerge if poorer people have no choice but to place greater weight on non-material components such as family, autonomy and identity when defining their SWB . The latter is particularly relevant in agricultural and fishing communities where being able to work, live a moral life, be self-sufficient, master a skill, and fulfil social expectations within the community can bring increased status, pride and happiness (Brown et al, 2021;Deci & Ryan, 2012;Markussen et al, 2018;Miñarro et al, 2022;Ohemeng et al, 2020;Osei-Tutu et al, 2020;Oteng et al, 2021).…”

Section: Expenditure Poverty (Objective Wellbeing) and Unhappiness (S...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Is the fulfilment of objective wellbeing reflected in subjective wellbeing? A case study of vulnerable communities in Volta Delta, Ghana

Cannings,

Hutton,

Sorichetta

et al. 2024

Intnl. J. Wellbeing

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There is growing interest in the measurement and conceptualisation of wellbeing due to its increasing importance within policy outcomes; however, the understanding of how different wellbeing outcomes associate within sustainability research is limited. This paper uses household survey data from the vulnerable Volta Delta, South Ghana, as a case study to illustrate the different philosophical approaches and measures of wellbeing, and the potential impact upon policy interventions. The frequent use of objective wellbeing measures, such as monetary poverty, within development policy is challenged as to whether it sufficiently reflects overall wellbeing. For example, objective monetary measures may not incorporate the intangible components of wellbeing, which can alternatively be captured within individuals’ self-evaluated, subjective wellbeing. This study first outlines the conceptual and methodological choices required when measuring wellbeing, before drawing on ideas of objective and subjective wellbeing to examine whether these concepts from different disciplines align or oppose one another. Contrasting theories within the literature justify this focus. By testing for associations between objective and subjective wellbeing outcomes, this study highlights how the methodological and conceptual choices made when measuring wellbeing can result in differing conclusions. Despite statistically significant associations being found amongst some wellbeing measures, results which show opposing outcomes highlight how subjective and objective wellbeing are not entirely interchangeable. Our study concludes there is a benefit to incorporating both objective and subjective measures in research and development targets across multiple scales to more-comprehensibly capture, and improve our understanding of, human wellbeing in vulnerable locations.

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Section: Expenditure Poverty (Objective Wellbeing) and Unhappiness (S...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Is the fulfilment of objective wellbeing reflected in subjective wellbeing? A case study of vulnerable communities in Volta Delta, Ghana

Cannings,

Hutton,

Sorichetta

et al. 2024

Intnl. J. Wellbeing

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Although the retirement process has been widely studied, theoretical postulations on the retirement process of informal workers who have no mandatory or statutory retirement procedures, are yet to receive attention. However, considering the unique characteristics of informal workers and their understanding of retirement (Oteng et al, 2021), it is apparent that the continuity theory could offer a new perspective on the retirement decisions of informal workers. According to the theory of continuity (Atchley, 1989), retirement is not considered as a stressful event of disengagement from active work life; however, it is an opportunity for older adults to maintain their work life, a lifestyle which offers higher levels of psychological well-being (Von Bonsdorff et al, 2009).…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, the desire to continue working is a result of fear of the financial insecurity retirement would bring to their remaining years. Moreover, complete retirement for informal workers is a function of poor health; however, mandatory retirement is perceived more as a health benefit during old age (Oteng et al, 2021). Atchley's continuity theory recognizes the disadvantages of a retirement plan that considers a complete cessation from work without having other work aspirations.…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

From Social Protection to Personal Protection: Implications for an Integrated Framework of Retirement Planning for Informal Workers in Ghana

Oteng¹,

Manful

Akuoko

2022

Glob Soc Welf

Self Cite

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Without a mandatory retirement age, many informal workers are exploring diverse ways of ensuring their well-being as they age. This exploratory study focuses on the retirement plans of workers in Ghana’s informal sector to inform interventions to ensure their well-being. Findings from 35 in-depth interviews among self-employed informal workers in Adum-Kumasi, the largest hub of Ghana’s informal work, highlight that retirement planning is centred on self-protection through investment in economic and non-economic activities. The study contributes to the discourse on extending social protection coverage to informal work settings. It further recommends an integrated policy framework for social protection to cover a broad range of domains that are important for the well-being of informal workers in later life.

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Digital Literacy in the Informal Economy of Ghana: Life-long Learning and Extending Working Lives of Older Persons in Post-Covid-19 Era

Oteng,

Manful,

Nkansah

2024

J Cross Cult Gerontol

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The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the growing importance of digital technologies for economic resilience, especially for vulnerable groups like older workers in the informal sector. However, barriers to access and digital literacy create challenges alongside potential opportunities, particularly in less developed countries such as Ghana. Using older adults over 50 years engaged in informal work in Kumasi’s Central Business District in Ghana as a case, this paper explores older informal workers’ use of digital technologies in Ghana during the pandemic. Findings suggest that older informal workers relied heavily on their mobile phones as the only critical technological tool to sustain their businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the findings also reveal critical gaps in skills, training, and support, alongside resourcefulness in leveraging digital tools for business continuity. Key policy implications include expanding mobile-centric digital literacy programs, addressing infrastructure divides, and integrating capacity building into social protection. The paper contributes insights on strengthening lifelong learning and extending the working lives of older persons in the informal sector in the post-COVID era.

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Retiring in the Informal Economy: Implications for Social Policy Intervention for Ageing Workers in Ghana

Cited by 3 publications

References 42 publications

Is the fulfilment of objective wellbeing reflected in subjective wellbeing? A case study of vulnerable communities in Volta Delta, Ghana

Is the fulfilment of objective wellbeing reflected in subjective wellbeing? A case study of vulnerable communities in Volta Delta, Ghana

From Social Protection to Personal Protection: Implications for an Integrated Framework of Retirement Planning for Informal Workers in Ghana

Digital Literacy in the Informal Economy of Ghana: Life-long Learning and Extending Working Lives of Older Persons in Post-Covid-19 Era

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