By Alex Ababio
Deep within the Garden City, Kumasi , the capital town of Ashanti region , where the vibrant colors of the landscape are often overshadowed by the shadows of misfortune, there exists a remarkable story of resilience.
These children who have endured immeasurable
hardships and loss, yet possess an unwavering spirit that defies the odds.
Nestled in the isolated hamlet of Manso Atwere in the Amansie West Distict of Ashanti region , a place where hope often struggles to find its foothold, once lived young Kwaku Dua , a name meaning “born on a Wednesday.” Kwaku, however, was born into a life filled with anxiety and hopeless. His mother died after giving birth to him on the same day . And his father who was a commercial driver got involved in an accident on Kumasi -Accra road near Apadwa in the Eastern region just two weeks before his mother met her untimely death during delivery . As a toddler his extended blood-related family rejected him ,accusing him of possessing evil spirit or witch craft. They accused him of killing his both parents within a space of two weeks. Alone and vulnerable, Kwaku Dua was left on the street to fend for himself. He was later brought to Asafo in Kumasi by an unknown man .At age of two roaming on streets close to Asafo Inter change in Kumasi, those who knew his story would not come close to him as they believe calamity would befall them . His only companions and family were street children and their madams mostly wretched women who have trained them to beg for arms.
Kwaku right from that infancy was gifted with a voice to sing some popular songs mostly gospel songs to the delight of the passersby
so that they give him money. Over the past four years , When Kwaku was first brought to stay under the Asafo inter- change, he was used to solicit for money through singing . As fate will have it , Kwaku was spotted by a social worker and was sent to an orphanage home in Kumasi
Kwaku’s story , while not in isolation, reflects the experiences of numerous Ghanaian children who live their lives in orphanage, facing a world that offers little mercy. For most of these children, life’s challenges are not an abstract concept but a daily reality.
Cradles of Resilience: Orphanages as Beacons of Hope:
In the heart of Ghana’s bustling capital, Kumasi , i entered the gates of the New Life Orphanage .
As the sun bathes the joyful playground in its warm shades,
it becomes evident that this is not just an orphanage; it is a haven for the growth of resilience. With its mission to operate orphanages like New Life provide children with much more than shelter; they offer support, education, and a sense of belonging.
Kwaku’s steadfast determination is on full display at New Life.
His creative abilities does not only afford him the chance to survive but thriving. Kwaku was enrolled in a primary public school at Amankwatia in the greater Kumasi. In his school ,he excels in his academic studies, aside proving to be a talented musician, and dreams of a future where he can become a mentor to other orphans, imparting the wisdom of fortitude.
In the context of Kwaku and those confronted with analogous challenges, education is not just a ticket out of poverty; it is a means of healing, empowerment, and self-discovery. Education is a powerful antidote to the adversities these children face.
The tales of resilience we find among Ghanaian orphans are not simply stories of survival; they are stories of hope, strength, and the indomitable human spirit. These children may have lost their parents, but they have not lost their dreams, their determination, or their potential.
Their stories serve as a reminder that in the face of adversity, the human spirit can shine brightly, and it is in their resilience that we find hope for a better future. These children are not just survivors; they are the architects of their destinies, the embodiment of unwavering spirit in the face of life’s most formidable challenges.
In the tale of Kwaku and countless others, we see the unwavering spirit of Ghana’s orphaned children, and it is a story that deserves to be celebrated and shared. Their resilience is a testament to the strength of the human heart, a beacon of hope for all who face life’s adversities.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), originally known as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, in 2012 the estimated number of orphans in Ghana as of 2012 was 1.1 million .
The question at hand concerns the guardianship of these children. The majority of them are cared for in children’s homes; however, most of these orphanages lack the necessary resources to provide adequate care.
During our investigative efforts to learn more about these children’s homes, we discovered that every organization in the child protection sector cited insufficient financial resources as a significant obstacle to their operations. Although Ghana’s growth and poverty reduction plans consistently prioritize reducing vulnerability and strengthening essential social services, this has not necessarily translated into increased budget allocations for social welfare and child protection services.
As a result, the majority of these orphanages are sustained by the generosity of individual organizations. In many cases, when the necessary support is not available to maintain these homes, the vulnerable children are compelled to go out onto the streets to seek financial assistance.
According to UN Convention on the rights of the child and section 87 of the children’s Act 1998(Act 560) child begging is child abuse
Violence, Abuse, and Exploitation Against Children
In the pursuit of understanding the factors that contribute to children feeling unsafe and insecure within Ghanaian communities, Ghanaian Watch investigation unveiled some crucial insights. The most prevalent concern voiced by whom we spoke to was the absence of parental care, guidance, and supervision. Subsequently, the issues of sexual abuse, child labor, and child prostitution or sexual exploitation were brought into focus.
A recurring theme among the participants was the connection between child protection challenges and the breakdown of the family structure. While some attributed this to poverty, a significant number emphasized parental neglect and fathers’ failure to provide for their children.
Of notable concern was the heightened vulnerability of stepchildren and children under the care of individuals other than their parents. Our research found this vulnerability to be a common thread in all communities studied in Ghana .
In rural and peri-urban settings, informal community structures retained their significance in addressing child protection issues. In cases of abuse, children typically sought help from a family elder, religious leader, assemblyman, unit committee member, Chief, or Queen Mother. Welfare officers played a limited role, as they were often inaccessible to community members. In urban areas, however, the involvement of the police, welfare officers, NGOs, and religious leaders was more prominent.
The prevailing sentiment among the majority of community stakeholders was in favor of resolving issues informally rather than through the formal system. Reasons cited included the unfamiliarity and intimidation children and families associate with the formal system, the perception of betrayal in involving government authorities, the impracticality of reaching welfare officers in remote areas, and the community’s higher regard for traditional authorities. The idea that police intervention could deliver justice had a significant but less predominant presence among stakeholders.
Conversations with district child protection workers underscored the limitations of the formal system in handling cases of abuse and neglect. Welfare officers and DOVVSU (Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit) often face hurdles due to a lack of transportation and community resistance to their interventions. While inter-agency coordination and referrals functioned effectively in some instances, it was not yet a systematic practice. Additionally, the capacity to provide sustained counseling, recovery, and reintegration services following immediate crisis intervention was alarmingly limited.
Children in Conflict with the Law
The investigation revealed that, regardless of their location, children frequently committed theft, which emerged as the most common juvenile offense. Alcohol and drug use and sexual offenses were also recurring concerns within all communities studied. Strikingly, despite its classification as a minor offense within the formal criminal justice system, theft was not only considered the most common but also the most serious crime committed by young people across these communities.
Our findings present an intricate picture of juvenile offenses and the community’s perspective on their gravity. Further investigation is needed to better understand the dynamics surrounding these issues and the potential solutions that can address them effectively.
