By Francis Ntow
Accra, March 19, GNA – The Ghana Statistical Service says 2.64 million mobile and open space businesses operate nationwide, employing about 992,000 people.
The Service said the findings were from the maiden Integrated Business Establishment Survey (IBES I), which showed that many operators earned less than GH¢100 daily while working at least nine hours.
It said 82,920 mobile businesses, including head porterage and hawking using vans, carts, bicycles and motorcycles, were recorded, while 693,748 operated open space businesses, with two-thirds engaged in food and beverage sales.
Dr Alhassan Iddrisu, Government Statistician, at a press briefing in Accra, said the survey marked a departure from traditional measurement of formal businesses within fixed structures.
He said the IBES I captured mobile traders operating in traffic and communities, as well as those on pavements, roadsides and market areas, who were often excluded from official statistics.
Dr Iddrisu said women accounted for 67.5 per cent of mobile business operators and 79.5 per cent of open space operators.
He said more than half of open space businesses were concentrated in Greater Accra (24 per cent), Ashanti (17 per cent) and Central (11 per cent) Regions.
Dr Iddrisu said that mobile businesses were also concentrated in Greater Accra (41 per cent) and Ashanti (20.3 per cent), reflecting demand in high-density urban areas.
“Open space businesses have operated for an average of 73 months (approximately six years), with some regional variations – Eastern Region businesses averaging 82 months, Western 81 months, and Ashanti 80 months,” he said.
Dr Iddrisu said 94.2 per cent of operators were Ghanaians, while non-Ghanaians were more prevalent in border regions, including Upper West, Volta and Northern Regions.
“These businesses are everywhere around us – the traders selling food and household goods along streets and neighbourhoods, the vendors moving through traffic and communities selling goods directly to consumers,” he said.
The Government Statistician said despite exposure to weather conditions, operators demonstrated resilience, with 64 per cent working at least six days a week and nearly half exceeding 49 hours weekly.
“However, earnings vary widely: 31 per cent earn 100 cedis or less per day, while 21 per cent earn at least 500 cedis daily, highlighting significant income inequality within the sector,” he said.
Dr Iddrisu identified small start-up capital, proximity to customers, urbanisation and adaptability to market demand as key drivers of the sector.
He urged Government and local authorities to invest in market infrastructure, including sheds, storage and sanitation, to support transition into the formal sector.
Dr Iddrisu called on financial institutions to expand microfinance, mobile banking and digital payment solutions, alongside training in business management, financial literacy and digital skills for informal operators.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Sackey