Private Security Guards, Others Resorts To ‘Pragya’ Business To Survive Economic Hardship

Ghana is in economic crisis, thus seeking intervention from the IMF and other international bodies to stay afloat.

While the government attributes the resultant hardship to COVID-19 and Russia–Ukraine War, Ghanaians blame the situation on poor management of the economy.

Speaking with 3news.com, some Ghanaians on the streets of Accra share how they have been compelled by the prevailing hardship in the country to resort to multiple sources of income to survive.

A section of the educated ones, who have permanent jobs have also resorted to doing menial jobs when they are off duty to supplement their incomes.

In an interview with our reporter, Clara Boadi Konadu, Madam Liliff Akpaok a ‘pragya’ driver, disclosed that she decided to drive the tricycle because her salary is not sufficient.

“Although I work as a security at the University of Ghana, I realized my salary was not enough. Not because the amount was too small or maybe I was living above my means, but prices of utilities, goods and services especially food stuffs have increased, ” she said.

She continued that, “I realized I had a qualified licence to drive a motorbike and all that I needed was a licence ‘A’ which could enable me drive a ‘pragya’ in Accra. So, I upgraded myself to acquire a licence which could permit me drive a ‘pragya’.”

Although Liliff says it is tiring and out of the ordinary for a woman to drive a ‘pragya’ in Accra, she sees it as a blessing hence drives during her off- days and when she is on leave. She also touts the profitability of the venture as she gets enough to supplement her salary, thus meet her financial obligations.

Liliff believes that the ‘pragya’ business has really helped to take a significant number of the teeming unemployed youth off the streets. This, according to her, has reduced social vices in the urban areas.

She there urged the government to consider the benefits of the ‘pragya’ business and refrain from banning it.

The Government of Ghana has recently secured a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which comes with numerous conditionalities. Amongst such policies is an increase in utilities by 18.36% amidst the regular increase of prices in fuel and petroleum products which has worsened the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian.