Working and Preparing for the Ageing Period: Lived Experiences from Ghana's Urban Commercial Transport Workers.
The United Nations projects that by 2050, the global population aged 65 and up will be around 2.1 billion. This is a huge increase from 960 million in 2017, highlighting the world's ageing population and the need for stakeholders to reconsider their labour force and retirement strategies. The urban commercial transport sector is a key employer in many Ghanaian cities, but empirical study into their retirement plans has received little attention. This study investigates the experiences of commercial transport workers in urban Ghana as they prepare for the ageing process.
Design/methodology/approach.
We used the interpretivist qualitative methodology, employing a semi-structured interview guide with a sample of fifteen (15) individuals from the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abirem district in Ghana. We employed the purposive sampling method to select our participants, analysed the data by identifying emerging themes, and then compared our findings with existing theories and literature. Questions covered topics such as participants' professional background, retirement intentions, and any future preparations they had made.
Findings
The study reveals the distinctive conditions faced by commercial transport workers, their expertise, and the impact of the work environment on their retirement strategies. Additionally, it emphasises the informal strategies they intend to implement to safeguard their financial security and overall welfare throughout their retirement years. The data analysis has led to the formulation of policy suggestions aimed at promoting well-being and active ageing among urban commercial transport workers in Ghana.
Originality/value
The study highlights the need for understanding retirement needs and exploring alternative strategies for urban commercial transport workers to improve their financial security in old age. The findings and policy suggestions are expected to inform the design of more inclusive social protection systems for these workers in Ghana.