In Accra, the capital of Ghana, Owusu, his wife, and their four children share a house with five other tenants and their families in the Tantra Hills neighborhood. The house has one bathroom and electricity, but the costs of both are excessively high. Because it is not connected to the municipal water grid, Owusu must buy water from vendors who charge high prices. The electricity bill, around $50 per month, is higher than his rent of $33. With a monthly income of $175, Owusu lives in constant fear of eviction if rent, water, or electricity prices rise.
In addition, Owusu's neighborhood lacks easy access to public transit. The nearest bus stop is about a kilometer away, and he typically waits up to 30 minutes for a bus. His commute to work at a gas station takes around two hours, even without traffic. From Monday to Saturday, he leaves home at 4:30 AM to beat the rush hour.
