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The Weekend Hustle: Stories from the Saturday Market
Byline: By Nomako Madina, Accra — As early as 4:00 a.m., the sounds begin: baskets thumping, fabric rustling, hushed greetings whispered under breath. By sunrise, Madina Market is a controlled chaos — alive with color, bargaining, and survival. Every Saturday, thousands of traders from all over the capital descend on this sprawling commercial hub to make ends meet. For some, it’s a side hustle. For others, it’s their only source of income. “We don’t rest on weekends,” says Afia Nhyira, 38, who sells fried fish from a corner stall. “Saturday is where the money is. It’s our office, our bank, and our battlefield.” A Market That Never Sleeps Saturday markets…
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The Secret Lives of Hawkers: A Day in the Life on the Streets
By Jerry Accra, Ghana — At 5:30 a.m., before the city stirs to life, 17-year-old Ama Sarpong is already on the road with a basin full of boiled eggs on her head. Balancing the load with practiced ease, she walks briskly along Ring Road Central, dodging early traffic, calling out: “Eggs, hot eggs, one cedi!” By midday, she’s drenched in sweat. By nightfall, her voice is hoarse. But on a good day, she takes home ₵60. On a bad one, she returns with aching legs — and unsold eggs. “I’m the breadwinner in my family,” she says softly. “My mother is sick. My father is gone.” The Unseen Backbone of…