Women, Trade, and the Hidden Economy of Power
By: John S. Morlu II, CPA
Before banks existed, before microfinance institutions appeared, before consultants wrote reports on “informal sector economics,” there were markets—and in the Volta Region, markets are not just places of commerce.
They are kingdoms ruled by women, universities without classrooms, diplomatic zones of negotiation, and the invisible engine that keeps communities alive.
To walk into a Volta marketplace is to walk into:
- a hurricane of color
- a symphony of negotiation
- a parliament of female strategists
- a living museum of culture
- an economy more efficient than some governments
The women who run these markets do not carry titles—but make no mistake: they are CEOs, CFOs, logisticians, credit managers, politicians, sociologists, and psychologists rolled into one.
This chapter explores the economic lifeblood of the Volta Region—where trade is not only survival, but power.
1. Why Markets Matter — The Pulse of the Region
Markets in the Volta Region are not “places people go to buy food.” They are vital institutions that:
- feed households
- create jobs
- stabilize communities
- connect villages
- influence politics
- dictate social rhythms
- transfer culture
- support education
- give economic power to women
A market day is a cultural event. The energy is electric. The movement is choreographed chaos. The trade is precise. The relationships are lifelong.
These markets are not random; they are the infrastructure of society.
2. The Women — The Real Power Brokers of Volta
Volta women are the undisputed rulers of the marketplace. They do everything with skill and dignity—and they do it without needing applause.
They possess:
- financial discipline
- negotiation intelligence
- risk assessment skills
- emotional maturity
- customer loyalty strategies
- logistical expertise
- psychological insight
- social influence
You will not find these titles in their CVs, but you see them clearly in their work.
Volta market women understand:
- credit systems
- wholesale pricing
- supply chain dynamics
- seasonal patterns
- consumer behavior
- price elasticity
- scarcity economics
They are living case studies of business education.
And they are feared—respectfully—because their influence is undeniable.
3. The Markets — Each One a Universe
The Volta Region is filled with major and minor markets, each with its own flavor and cultural identity.
Dzemeni Market (near Kpando)
One of the most intense and vibrant fresh-food markets in Ghana. This is where the lake economy meets the land economy.
Aflao Border Market
A mix of Ghanaian, Togolese, and Nigerian traders. A bilingual, trilingual, and multi-currency environment.
Ho Central Market
A balanced market with textiles, foodstuffs, electronics, crafts, and every item the city needs.
Keta Market
A coastal blend of fish, salt, vegetables, baskets, palm wine, and lagoon products.
Anloga Market
Traditional, structured, and culturally rich—a true center of Ewe social life.
Sogakope Market
River-influenced, agriculture-driven, vibrant, and expanding.
Kpeve Market
A key link between highland and lowland trade.
Akatsi, Dzodze, and the Keta–Akatsi belt
Known for textiles, pottery, beads, village produce, and trading sophistication.
Each market is a world with its own:
- hierarchy
- rules
- culture
- rhythm
- secrets
No two markets are the same.
4. Market Day — The Ceremony of Commerce
On market days, villages transform. By dawn:
- goats complain loudly in the distance
- traders leave home with bowls balanced on their heads
- motorbikes hum across dusty roads
- fishermen unload fresh catch
- children run errands
- the smell of smoked fish and pepper fills the air
The market queens arrive first. They command space without saying much.
By mid-morning, the marketplace is:
- packed
- loud
- alive
- beautiful
- overwhelming
- organized chaos
Traders call out deals. Buyers negotiate like diplomats. Children weave through legs. Drums from a nearby shrine echo faintly. The sun supervises everything.
Market day is not just buying and selling—it is the heartbeat of the community.
5. The Economics — Smarter Than Harvard Textbooks
Volta market economies operate with astonishing efficiency.
Pricing Strategy
Women adjust prices instantly based on:
- supply
- demand
- weather
- season
- competitor movements
- freshness
- time of day
No algorithm needed.
Credit System
Traders extend credit based on:
- trust
- reputation
- family history
- consistency
- character
No paperwork. No collateral. And shockingly—default is low.
Inventory Management
Every woman knows:
- what sells fastest
- what spoils quickest
- what can be discounted
- what must be preserved
Profit Allocation
Ewe women are masters at:
- reinvesting
- saving
- supporting family
- paying school fees
- building homes
- funding funerals
- sponsoring younger traders
You cannot study African economics without studying market women.
6. The Politics — Market Queens Are Not Small People
In Volta markets, the Market Queen is:
- the regulator
- the peacemaker
- the judge
- the tax negotiator
- the union leader
- the conflict resolver
- the representative of women’s voices
She may not sit in Parliament, but she can influence entire communities.
If a politician wants credibility in the Volta Region, they must pass through the market queens first.
They are the real Ministry of Trade.
7. Food Culture — The Freshest Ingredients in Ghana
Volta markets are food heavens.
You will find:
- fresh tilapia
- catfish
- crabs
- smoked herrings
- peppers
- okro
- garden eggs
- cassava
- yam
- plantain
- millet
- coconut
- palm oil
- beans
- aromatic traditional herbs
- palm wine
- snails
- oysters
- vegetables so fresh they look photoshopped
Volta food markets prove one truth: The best dishes come from the calmest ingredients.
8. Textiles, Crafts, and Symbolism
In these markets, you also find:
- Ewe kente
- woven baskets
- pottery
- beads
- carved stools
- mats
- cloth wrappers
- handmade jewelry
These crafts are not mere items. They are cultural signatures passed down through families.
And the women selling them know the story behind each piece.
9. Humor and Social Dynamics — Where Laughter Is Currency
Markets are full of humor:
- A trader who insults you lovingly for bargaining too hard.
- A buyer who pretends to walk away dramatically, then returns.
- Women teasing men for buying ingredients without knowing how to cook.
- Arguments that sound serious but end with laughter.
Ewe market humor is:
- sharp
- quick
- intelligent
- affectionate
Trade without humor is considered suspicious.
10. Conclusion — Markets Are the Soul of Volta
Volta markets are not “places where things are sold.” They are:
- cultural classrooms
- economic engines
- political institutions
- social networks
- safety nets
- spiritual spaces
- community centers
Women run them with:
- wisdom
- strength
- subtlety
- dignity
- resilience
- ancestral intelligence
In the Volta Region, you cannot separate:
- economy from culture
- culture from women
- women from the market
Wherever women gather to trade, society survives.
Volta markets are proof that the real power in Ghana has always been—and will always be—the hands of women.
Author: John S. Morlu II, CPA is the CEO and Chief Strategist of JS Morlu, leads a globally recognized public accounting and management consultancy firm. Under his visionary leadership, JS Morlu has become a pioneer in developing cutting-edge technologies across B2B, B2C, P2P, and B2G verticals. The firm’s groundbreaking innovations include AI-powered reconciliation software (ReckSoft.com), Uber for handymen (Fixaars.com) and advanced cloud accounting solutions (FinovatePro.com), setting new industry standards for efficiency, accuracy, and technological excellence.