Understanding the role of Maize Market Queens in the Procurement of Maize, 2016

Overview

Maize is Ghanaís most important cereal crop produced by a vast majority of households in all parts of the country. Maize marketing is traditionally a private sector system which takes place largely in informal markets. It has been observed that, Ghanaís domestic maize trade is largely dependent on a network of private women traders who dominate the local and regional markets while larger groups of wholesalers engage in spatial arbitrage across regions/districts. These women traders are referred to as Ohemaa or ëMarket Queensí. The local assemblers and commission agents often act individually while the wholesalers organise themselves into associations under the leadership of Market Queens who influence the conduct of the market. This Policy Brief examines activities of these traders and their impact on price determination, procurement methods and ascertains any uncompetitive practices in maize trade sector in Ghana.