Appraisals of Tricycle Operations as Tools for Employment Creation in the Asokore Mampong Municipality of Ghana

This study examines the role of commercial tricycle operations in employment creation and income generation within the Asokore Mampong Municipality. The findings reveal that tricycle transportation has emerged as a significant livelihood option for many residents, particularly in response to low wages and limited opportunities in the formal and informal job sectors. A considerable number of individuals who are engaged in tricycle riding for profit reported that their involvement was motivated by dissatisfaction with earnings from previous occupations, while others were drawn into the sector due to persistent unemployment. As a result, commercial tricycle operations have made a significant contribution to reducing unemployment by absorbing a substantial segment of the municipality’s jobless population. Survey results indicate that an overwhelming majority of respondents (94.68%) agree that the use of tricycles for commercial purposes has facilitated employment opportunities for unemployed residents in the municipality. Only a small proportion (5.31%) of respondents expressed disagreement, suggesting a broad consensus on the employment benefits associated with the tricycle transport sector. Beyond job creation, respondents also emphasised the economic advantages derived from the tricycle value chain, which includes riders, owners, mechanics, fuel vendors, and spare parts dealers. Interestingly, the study reveals that tricycle riders are perceived as the primary beneficiaries within this chain, even though most riders do not own the tricycles they operate. Instead, many riders work under ownership arrangements, renting or operating tricycles on a daily sales basis for private owners. Even under such arrangements, riders reportedly earn relatively higher and more stable incomes compared to other actors involved in the tricycle business. Overall, the findings suggest that commercial tricycle operations play a crucial role in livelihood diversification, employment creation, and economic resilience in the Asokore Mampong Municipality, highlighting their importance in local economic development strategies.