How do slum dwellers influence policies affecting their lives? Perspectives from Ghanaian slums

Purpose: The study examined the influence of slums on policies affecting the slums' lives in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach: An exploratory qualitative approach based on in-depth interviews (IDIs) was used to select 24 respondents using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Findings: The findings show that slum dwellers have an adequate understanding of policies that affect the dwellers' lives. Furthermore, slum dwellers use statutory, technological, media and right-to-vote-based strategies to influence government policies. This also indicates that implemented policies do not align with realities in the slums Research limitations/implications: The outcome of this study cannot be generalised to represent the whole population of slums due to the inherent limitations associated with a qualitative design Social implications: This study uncovers context-specific strategies through which slum residents influence policies. The study concedes that policy actors involve the slums in policies that affect their livelihoods Originality/value: The results are unique not only to developing countries, but are also useful to other economies with similar characteristics.