Abstract:
In sub-Saharan Africa, young unemployed persons often migrate to the cities in search of employment,
especially in the informal sector. This paper focuses on young migrants in the shoe-shine business
which is common in Ghana but has attracted little or no research over the years. The study, which is
guided by the migration networks theory and a conceptual framework on migration of young people to
the urban informal sector, shows that the main motive for migrating is economic. There are migration
networks which make it possible for new members to join the business. Most of the young migrants
claim they have personally benefted from the business and are able to cater for their households
better than before, while others have invested their earnings in various small projects at the places
of origin, which has created some employment for others in the community. It is recommended
that the government and the relevant stakeholders should occasionally organize entrepreneurship
training for the shoe-shine operators to enable them operate effectively and sustain their business.
