How do slum dwellers influence policies affecting their lives? Perspectives from Ghanaian slums

Abstract

PurposeThe study examined the influence of slums on policies affecting the slums' lives in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory qualitative approach based on in-depth interviews (IDIs) was used to select 24 respondents using purposive and snowball sampling techniques.FindingsThe findings show that slum dwellers have an adequate understanding of policies that affect the dwellers' lives. Furthermore, slum dwellers use statutory, technological, media and right-to-vote-based strategies to influence government policies. This also indicates that implemented policies do not align with realities in the slumsResearch limitations/implicationsThe outcome of this study cannot be generalised to represent the whole population of slums due to the inherent limitations associated with a qualitative designSocial implicationsThis study uncovers context-specific strategies through which slum residents influence policies. The study concedes that policy actors involve the slums in policies that affect their livelihoodsOriginality/valueThe results are unique not only to developing countries, but are also useful to other economies with similar characteristics.