CSJ launches advocacy project to advance credit and social protection for market women and female farmers in Ghana

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has partnered with STAR Ghana Foundation. They are engaging with market women in Kumasi and women in agriculture in the Northern Region. The goal is to explore challenges faced by informal sector workers. This includes market traders and peasant farmers accessing credit and social insurance.

This initiative is part of the 'Action for Voice and Inclusive Development (AVID II)' Project. It focuses on “Bridging the Gap: Financial Accessibility and Social Protection for Informal Sector Traders and Farmers in Ghana.”

These regional dialogues will inform national policy discussions. They aim to create inclusive solutions for underserved populations.

To achieve this, CSJ is conducting a baseline assessment. They will gather firsthand accounts from informal workers about financial barriers they face.

The findings will help design a 'Policy Action Platform (PAP).' This platform will include government agencies, financial institutions, and grassroots representatives. Together, they will develop sustainable solutions.

A CSJ spokesperson emphasized the importance of these engagements. They aim to amplify women's voices in the informal economy. Many women have been excluded from financial systems historically.

The upcoming dialogue platforms are expected to drive reforms. These reforms can improve access to microcredit and expand social insurance coverage.

Ghana's informal sector employs about 89% of the workforce, but women are disproportionately affected. Data shows that 92% of employed women work in this sector but struggle to access financial services.

A recent study found that 65.3% of the labor force is in the informal sector. However, there is limited access to quality financial services among these workers.

Enrollment in Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) remains low among informal workers. Only one-third of total enrollees come from this group annually.

These statistics highlight the need for initiatives that enhance financial inclusion and social insurance coverage for women in Ghana's informal sector.

The CSJ-led AVID II project receives strong support from partners like STAR Ghana Foundation and The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Their commitment aims to advance social justice and economic equity across Ghana.

By working directly with those affected, the AVID II Project seeks to close the inclusion gap. It aims to strengthen the resilience of Ghana’s informal workforce through ongoing engagement.