young and old - work to earn an income in addition to maintaining their roles
as housewives and mothers. Their reputation for economic independence,
self-reliance, and hard work is well-known and well-deserved.
Most of Ghana's working women are farmers and traders. Only one
woman in five, or even fewer, can be classified as simply housewives. Even
these women often bake and cook things to sell. Indeed, Ghanaians do not
respect women who depend entirely upon their husbands for their support.
Nine out of ten women fifteen years of age ana over are married. Women
say they would like to have six or more children, and in fact an average of
seven children are born to every woman. In short, the normal life pattern for
most Ghanaian women is to combine an active role in the economy with an
active role as wife and mother of a large family.
How do these working mothers cope with their multiple responsibilities in
the home and on.the job? Traditionally the tasks of motherhood were shared.
Mothers and sisters, grandmothers and nieces all helped to raise the children
and to carry out daily tasks, including housework, trading, and fanning
activities. As the family grew, older brothers and sisters also helped to care
for the younger ones and helped in the home.
Today with more children going to school, with more people moving away
from their traditional homes where support from their family would be
provided, how can the mother cope with her many responsibilities?
Some new ideas are being tried. One of these is family planning to help
reduce family size. Another helpful solution is the day care centre, but this is
available mainly in urban areas. Besides, the fees are usually too high for the
poor, so they can't send their children to such centres. Ghanaians realise that
more day care centres are needed. Ghana today is looking for new ways to
meet the needs of women and their families so that women can continue to
play their multiple roles in the home and in the economy.
