Youth, mobility and rural livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa: perspectives from Ghana and Nigeria

Porter, Gina; Blaufuss, Kathrin; Owusu Acheampong, Frank

Youth, mobility and rural livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa: perspectives from Ghana and Nigeria

Porter, Gina; Blaufuss, Kathrin; Owusu Acheampong, Frank

Authors

Professor Gina Porter r.e.porter@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Kathrin Blaufuss

Frank Owusu Acheampong

Abstract

The linkages between youth daily mobility and livelihood patterns and potential have been little explored. Drawing on field studies in Ghana and Nigeria, this paper examines youth transport and mobility issues from a livelihoods perspective. Mobility affects livelihoods directly, in terms of access to jobs, and indirectly in terms of accessing the good education, healthcare and strong social networks on which future job opportunities may depend. The factors which help determine youth access to transport and mobility are considered and the role of transport itself as a livelihood strategy (girls as porters, boys as transport operators) is examined.

Citation

Porter, G., Blaufuss, K., & Owusu Acheampong, F. (2007). Youth, mobility and rural livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa: perspectives from Ghana and Nigeria. Africa insight, 37(3), 420-431

Journal Article Type	Article
Publication Date	Jan 1, 2007
Deposit Date	Jul 15, 2008
Publicly Available Date	Jul 15, 2008
Journal	Africa insight.
Print ISSN	0256-2804
Publisher	Africa Institute of South Africa
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	37
Issue	3
Pages	420-431
Publisher URL	http://www.ajol.info/viewarticle.php?jid=128&id=38700&layout=abstract