Story and Photos By : Delphina Awenkanyaagaasah Ayugmi
Market women are the backbone of our local economy. Day in and day out, they show up
trading, organizing, nurturing, and holding their families and communities together. Yet,
despite everything they do, their stories often go untold, and their hard work goes
underappreciated.
During my visit to some markets in Tamale, specifically the Tamale Central Market and
Aboabo market,I had the privilege of speaking with a few of these women. Through our
conversations, I saw not only their struggles but also their strength, determination, and
hard work. These women carry both their businesses and families on their backs and still
smile through it all.
As I navigate my way through the market, I met Razika, a young, focused woman selling
tomatoes. She struck me with her quiet strength. Interacting with her, she narrates how she
wakes up at 4:30 a.m. each morning, helps her younger siblings get ready for school, finishes
up house chores, and then heads out to start her day at the market as the breadwinner of
her family, and she’s doing all she can to support her loved ones. She tells me one of her
biggest challenges is space. “Some weeks back, I was forced to relocate by the Tamale
Metropolitan Task Force. With nowhere stable to sell, I had to carry my goods around,
hoping they wouldn’t be seized”.
Then there’s Happy, full of energy and optimism. She sells lingerie in the middle of the
market. When I spoke with her, she told me how her children motivate her to keep pushing.
She narrates how sometimes she has to carry her goods around to find customers,
especially when business is slow or her selling space becomes a challenge. Still, she
refuses to make excuses as her children depend on her. To manage things better, she
participates in a daily savings so she can reinvest in her business and take care of her
family during tough times.
I also met Lydia, a middle-aged woman selling pastries across from the overpass. She
shares with me how every morning, she wakes up to bake and set up her stand. She told
me how she started small when no one even knew about her, but she’s made progress, and
that progress means the world to her. Lydia shared how exhaustion once led to her phone
being stolen while she dozed off, and how someone she trusted in her business ended up
stealing from her. That betrayal pushed her to handle everything herself. “It’s not easy
preparing the kids for school and managing the business,” she said. “Sales haven’t been
the best, but I’m still able to support my husband and keep the family going with the little I
make.”
Hearing these stories opened my eyes even more. These women are more than traders.
They’re caretakers, businesswomen, mothers, and fighters. Each day, they combine market
life with family responsibilities, while doing their best to give their children a better future.
Their strength is undeniable, but they should not carry the load alone. These women need
access to better resources from credit unions and training programs to market
infrastructure and financial support. It’s our collective responsibility to also break down the
social and cultural barriers that limit their opportunities.
The women of Tamale Central Market, Aboabo Market,and all markets across Ghana and
beyond are a testament to what resilience looks like. They are not just contributing to the
economy; they are the economy. Their efforts drive local development and sustain
countless households.
Let’s not let their stories go untold. Let’s amplify their voices, recognize their value, and
work toward a future where they have the tools and support they need to thrive because
they deserve it
