Street children: studies on school-age street children in Accra

Abstract

This study looked at children of school going age found loitering about at the 31st December market, situated at Okaishie in the Ashiedu keteke District of the Greater Accra Region. Fifty children between the ages of 7-15 years made up of 26 girls and 24 boys were interviewed. Only 20% of the children come from the greater Accra Region. Although 87% of both parents were alive, 90% of this number were living apart. Over 60% of the children come from very large families. Only 44% of the children were still in school during the time of the study. The rest had: stopped going to school. Their main occupation was trading which involved carrying of loads for a fee, selling polyethylene bags, provisions, water etc. Since the children made money, they fed themselves mainly on street foods of their choice. They looked very healthy although 30% complained of headaches. They also had plans for their future. Thirty seven percent (37%) of the boys wanted to be mechanics while 53% of the girls wanted to be seamstresses. They however picked up bad habits at the market from their friends. They learnt how to smoke cigarettes or Indian hemp and play truant at home and at school. The girls learnt to quarrel, fight and steal. The children complained about customers who cheated and abused them. They would however welcome any type of help in order to achieve something in life