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Periodical article Periodical article Leiden University catalogue Leiden University catalogue WorldCat catalogue WorldCat
Title:Commodity Queens and the Distributive Trade in Ghana: A Sociohistorical Analysis
Author:Dumor, Ernest K.
Year:1982
Periodical:African Urban Studies
Issue:12
Period:Winter
Pages:27-45
Language:English
Geographic term:Ghana
Subjects:market women
women
Economics and Trade
Women's Issues
History and Exploration
Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups)
Abstract:Within the context of the impact of the global economy on the structure of the Ghanaian economy, the author examines the concept of the enclave economy as applied to women in the urban economy of Ghana. Emphasis is on a sub-category, the 'commodity queens', seen as manifestations of the contradictions in peripheral capitalist development. As participants in the enclave distributive sector, they tend to exercise relative monopoly over and access to sources of goods both imported and domestically produced. Accordingly, they seem to have established an economic power and dominance relationship vis-à-vis other women in the distributive sector. However, although the commodity queens have achieved some measure of success, they constitute a part of the deepening dependence and underdevelopment of the mass of women. The disadvantaged social structural position of women as an identifiable group within a dependent economy is further reflected in development policy. Ref.
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