Forward UK, ACDEP, PAYDP launch situational analysis report on Kayayei

The Head of Global Advocacy and Partnerships at Forward UK, Mad. Adwoa Kwateng-Kluvitse has observed the only approach to tackling holistically issues of Kayayei in the country is through effective collaboration of all Civil Society Organizations(CSOs), Corporate Organizations, Government and its Development Partners, entrepreneurs and the citizenry to unite towards development of a coherent long-term strategy for implementation.

She added: "We've got to look not only at issues of the south but more importantly issues of the north as well and we have to ensure that we are not only dealing with Kayayei who are here but including those from the sending communities in within the three north regions of this country".

Mad. Adwoa Kwateng-Kluvitse made this known in an interview on the sidelines of the launch of a report dubbed: "Kayayei situational analysis in Ghana".

The event which took place in Accra on Saturday June 30, 2018 coincided with the launch of a 4-day Leadership Training program of Kayayei aimed at inculcating knowledge and dispelling myths on issues of reproductive health, domestic violence and knowledge on confidence gathering among others would be addressed.

The report including the training program were initiated by three (3) key NGOs championing advocacy and women's rights in the country namely Foundation for Women's Health Research and Development (Forward UK), ACDEP and the Purim African Youth Development Platform (PAYDP).

The eighty (80) pages situational analysis on Kayayei titled "We are treated as if we are not humans" was based on study findings suggests actions to slow down the phenomenon of migration of Kayayei work giving room to support existing Kayayei.

According to Forward UK, who played a lead role in the research, the findings of the report do not focus on the total eradication of the practice of the Kayayei, instead explore how the government, International NGOs and local organizations can do more to support Kayayei and to give young women and girls other options and opportunities apart from the notion that Kayayei is the only way to survive.

The research was carried out in four regions of Ghana. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions were carried out in three regions of northern Ghana, from where majority of the Kayayei originate.

Speaking at the launch, Mad. Aku Xornam Kevi, the National Coordinator of PAYDP disclosed the methodology used for compilation of report was peer research which gives the actual reflection of the challenges Kayayei are going through from their own perspective.

"We used twelve(12) girls who interviewed their friends, who also interviewed other friends and we've also did a desk review to look at various reports that various NGOs have come up with to look at issues that Kayayei are actually going through", she noted.

Mad. Xornam Kevi also hinted the report which among other things recommends authorities to take action to increase investment in the three northern regions, respond to climate change to reduce impact of erratic rainfall and increase provision of safe houses and standardized accommodation for Kayayei will be served key parliamentarians, the Minister of Gender Children and Social Protection including various development agencies and partners both local and international.

She further maintained apart from launching this report, her outfit together with supporting partners would embark upon a sustained media campaign to curtail issues of Kayayei which is high on the agenda.

For his part, Founder and CEO of Kayayei Youth Association of Ghana, Mohammed Isaac Salifu appealed to government, CSOs, NGOs and the UN Organizations working so hard in the country to put an end to issues of Kayayei to focus their energy and attention on the three northern regions of Ghana where most of the Kayayei migrates from to the cities.

According to him, the root of the whole Kayayei problem in Ghana which poverty can be blamed mostly for the cause emanates from the north therefore focusing excessive attention with various interventions on the south without a cursory look at the north is like working to achieve vanity.