African Market Women: Seven Life Stories from Ghana
In these lively life stories, women market traders from Ghana comment on changing social and economic times and on reasons for their prosperity or decline in fortunes. Gracia Clark shows that market women are intimately connected with economic policy on a global scale. Many work at the intersection of sophisticated networks of transnational commerce and migration. They have dramatic memories of independence and the growth of their new nation, including political rivalries, price controls, and...
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In these lively life stories, women market traders from Ghana comment on changing social and economic times and on reasons for their prosperity or decline in fortunes. Gracia Clark shows that market women are intimately connected with economic policy on a global scale. Many work at the intersection of sophisticated networks of transnational commerce and migration. They have dramatic memories of independence and the growth of their new nation, including political rivalries, price controls, and violent raids on the market. The experiences of these women give substance to their reflections on globalization, capital accumulation, colonialism, technological change, environmental degradation, teenage pregnancy, marriage, children, changing gender roles, and spirituality. Clark's commentary illuminates the complex historical and cultural setting of these deeply revealing lives.
Acknowledgments viiIntroduction: Trading Lives 11 Abenaa AdiiyaPortrait: An Adventurer on the Road 30Story: Patience and Pleading 322 Maame KesewaaPortrait: A Quiet Saver 63Story: Someone Has Set Herself a Goal 653 Madame AtaaPortrait: A Good Citizen 83Story: A Man Would Marry You Properly 844 Amma PokuaaPortrait: A Market Daughter 113Story: All of Them Depend upon Me 1155 Auntie AfriyiePortrait: A Shrewd Dealer 129Story: If You Have Wisdom, You Can Do Many Jobs 1316 Sister BuronyaPortrait: An International Observer 164Story: If I Had Money, I Would Go 1657 Maame NkrumahPortrait: A Grateful Sister 187Story: She Has Cared for Me and My Children 189Conclusion: Little by Little 218Appendix 247Glossary 251Notes 255References 259Index 263
\ International Journal of African Historical Studies"African Market Women provides a unique insider's view into the highly complicated workings of the West African commodities trade. Through the words of some of the market's most accomplished veterans, readers can see the daily efforts involved in distribution and marketing of some of Ghana's most essential household items." —Intl Jrnl. of African Historical Studies, Vol. 43, no. 2, 2010\ \ \ \ \ Choice"Clark... offers intriguing insights into the lives of seven Akan women traders.... Recommended." —Choice\ \ \ Journal of Africa"Overall, this is an excellent book: it will be useful in undergraduate teaching and makes an important contribution to our understanding of the richness and variety of women's lives in West Africa." —Journal of Africa\ \
