EatBiz

One of the cool programs my organization runs is EatBiz, which trains women in informal catering (food vendors, locally known as "chop bars"). We held a certificate ceremony yesterday for participants. These women are a critical part of the agricultural value chain and are making money in the informal sector, which accounts for up to 90% of the economy of the country.

Many of these women are semi--or illiterate and have to earn a living while caring for family members. There are no jobs for them in the formal economy (government and the very small private sector) so they use the skills they have in preparing traditional food and sell it. There is a growing demand for food here from workers, students, and to a lesser extent, tourists. Training in food safety, customer service, business management and finance allows these women to grow their businesses, access finance, and even employ others.

If you can't find a job here, you make one. People work their tails off to earn a living.
 The government collects taxes, a few cedi's a day collected by men in uniforms, who walk off with the money. Policies to stabilize the economy attempted to formalize these businesses but provided no capacity building or much-needed safe, clean spaces for these businesses.

I've had jollof rice with chicken in a chop bar. Tasty! I'm going to brave more adventurous food soon.