Health Implications of Head Porterage: The Case of the Female Head Porters (Kayayei) in the Central Business District of Accra, Ghana

Abstract

The kaya business (head porterage) started in Ghana several decades ago. The players in the business are young and adult females called Kayayei, who migrate from the northern parts of Ghana to cities and urban areas in the southern part. The number of Kayayei keeps rising over the years in Accra and other cities. As a result, basic needs, such as decent accommodation and access to basic health care are serious challenges to the Kayayei. This study examined the living and working conditions of the Kayayei in relation with their health. The study adopted a qualitative research design and employed focus group discussions for the data collection. Eighteen kayayei from Tema Station and Agbogbloshie Market constituted the study participants. Three groups of six participants each participated in discussions. The findings of the study showed that the Kayayei lived and worked in appalling conditions, which affected their health.The study also found that the Kayayei were often attacked by malaria and cholera, due to mosquito bites and unwholesome eating habits. Participants were also exposed to vehicular accidents at the lorry stations where they work. The study recommends government and other stakeholders to put resources together to organize health programmes on basic good health practices for the Kayayei, assist the school dropouts among the Kayayei to go back to school and also institute vocational training for the rest, to give them employable skills to enable them take control of their lives, in a more dignified way.