Dimensions/criteria

Categories/Indicators

Respondents

/response

Headline Analysis

Social

Length of Residence

Less than 1 year

1 - 5 years

6 - 10

11 - 15 years

Over 16 year

4%

6%

0%

22%

68%

New entrants consist of about 10% (less than 5 years) which is an indication of continuous migration thereby putting pressure on existing facilities. However, long term experience of their living landscape is important in developing social capital in the slums

Reasons for Living there

Work

Family/Grew up there

Friends

Studies

7%

82%

11%

0%

Many of those who stay there for work purposes are mostly new immigrants with small businesses within the periphery. Social tiers and networks also increase the rate of migration as 3% came based on friendship.

Membership of

associations

Religious associations

Social clubs

Sports clubs

Community associations

Trade unions

Political parties

Welfare groups

9%

8%

0%

12%

19%

50%

2%

Slum dwellers are able to organise collective social actions through various movements and political agencies in pursuit of rational adaptive

responses to conflicts of interest but political fractionalization limits collective actions.

Dwellers see provision of welfare as a responsibility of political parties they vote for. Slums are hubs of votes

Thrust in Authorities

Courts

Government agencies

Local authorities

Traditional authorities

37%

9%

23%

31%

Many dwellers do not prefer civil organizations for reasons of corruption and bureaucracies undermine the performance of social capital.

Security of

Housing Tenure

Free tenants

Renters

Self-owned houses

24%

41%

35%

With an established university in the town, many houses are being renovated to rent out by landlords. Dwellers who are not competitive are priced out of the market

Literacy

% that can read and write

27%

The finding confirms the general assertion that many slum dwellers lack formal education and formal skills, especially in Africa.

Economic

Employment

Formally employed

Informally employed

Unemployed

Retired

15%

52%

31%

2%

The informal sector remains the largest as well as the unemployed reflecting the lack of skills and levels of vulnerability among slum dwellers.

Income

Average monthly household income

US$102.87.

Income differentials translate into diverse consumption patterns of which there are potentials for savings.

Consumption

Average monthly household expenditure

US$52.86.

Skills

Teaching

Technicians

Trading

Carpentry and joinery

Hair dressing

Entertainment

Catering

Urban agriculture

Unskilled

6%

9%

42%

1%

5%

1%

2%

12%

22%

The levels of exposure to risks are reinforced by the lack of skills and seasonality of trading that some undertake. Urban agriculture remains a better alternative to cope with the aridity of the environment. However, the diversity in skills could be a source of dynamic resource to urban prosperity, if enhanced, as well as a source of urban resilience.

Rent

Average annual rent

GH¢220.00 (US$67)

Over 50% of households spend over 50% of their income on rent which goes contrary to the UN recommendation of 30%.

Environmental

Durability of Houses

Housing in temporary structures

21%

21% of the houses are built with sub-standard materials, such as mud and woods. This is a reflection of the inability of government and the private sector to build for the urban poor.