Ghana overview
Ghana has displayed significant economic growth over the last 20 years and stands now as the second largest economy in the West African region, but this story of success hides a deepening picture of inequality, with areas hosting communities who struggle with food security and whose livelihoods are fragile.
Across Ghana, latest estimates state that 5.5 million people are living in informal settlements, with the country’s capital, Accra, hosting a majority. Many young people migrate to the capital believing that there will be greater opportunities for employment, young women are often drawn to Accra with promises of non-existent jobs. However, once they arrive, they frequently find that there are no jobs and this leaves young women to explore other avenues of work and at risk of sexual exploitation by “boyfriends” and men who can offer “protection”.
The Northern region of Ghana records the highest levels of poverty, nearly a third of the poorest children have never been to school and the labour market is dominated by low-earning employment in the informal sector; women in particular score significantly higher in measures of deprivation in health, living conditions and education. The Northern region is home to a largely agrarian economy and families have few opportunities to build their household income and economic resilience.
How we are helping
We have been working in Ghana for over 30 years.
In Ghana’s capital city, Accra, our work with Street Girls Aid is supporting street connected women to earn a safe and sustainable income through Tailoring.
In the Upper East Region of Ghana, we work with TRAX Ghana to deliver sustainable agriculture training and agri-business development to women in rural communities.
Our partners
SGA
Street Girls Aid (SGA) is a registered non-governmental organisation working with street connected women and young people who have migrated from rural towns to the city in the hope of finding employment but have instead had to survive in informal street settlements. SGA’s Programmes are designed to assist them to reintegrate into their families, the school system, employment, and the communities they live in.
TRAX Ghana
TRAX works with smallholder farmers in northern Ghana to increase critical knowledge on sustainable farming methods and tackle threats to food security. This includes training communities in water management, soil improvement and crop management to mitigate climate changes. In turn this enables farmers to improve and increase their crop yields, for sale and to ensure household food security. In addition, TRAX supports producers to generate a viable income through processing Shea, a locally abundant commodity with widespread applications in the cosmetics and food industries.
