The study finds that livelihood strategies in Accra are predominantly production and exchange based. Labor is the most important asset to urban dwellers, and produces the most income, especially among low-income groups. The exchange of money and goods between households plays a critical role in supplementing labor-based activities. Women s income-generating activities are heavily concentrated in petty trading and the preparation and sale of street foods.
Men are three times more likely than women to have a protected wage job.
Income diversification is an important strategy for reducing risk. Although households headed by females have lower mean incomes than those headed by males, they devote a larger share of the budget to food. A substantial share of calories comes from foods purchased away from home. Accra households spend one-third of their food budget on street foods. Poor feeding practices are associated with poor long-term nutritional and health status.