Life on the Street
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University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh UNIVERSITY OF GHANA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY LIFE ON THE STREET: A STUDY OF THE COPING AND SURVIVAL STRATEGIES OF HOMELESS PEOPLE IN TEMA COMMUNITY ONE BY BARBARA OPARE (10186554) THIS DISSERTATION IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN SOCIOLOGY JULY, 2018 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION I, Opare Barbara hereby declare that this dissertation entitled “Life on the Street: A Study of the Coping and Survival Strategies of Homeless People in Tema Community One’’ except for references to other people’s work which have been accordingly accredited, this thesis is the outcome of my own research work carried out and submitted to the Department of Sociology, under the supervision of Dr. Kofi Ohene-Konadu and Dr. Alhassan Sulemana Anamzoya Candidate Date ……………………………. ……………………………… Barbara Opare ……………………………. … ………………………… Dr. Kofi Ohene- Konadu Date (Supervisor) ……………………………… …………………………… Dr. Alhassan Sulemana Anamzoya Date (Supervisor) i University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION To the Lord all Mighty for giving me strength and breathe of life throughout this journey (Psalms 118) This research work is also dedicated to all the people who are living on the street, those that are obligated each day to rise above the dares of street living to make a life for themselves and others who depend on them. ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS God, Almighty be praised, and thanks given thee for keeping me alive thus during this my academic pursuits and my poor health, for granting me grace and strength and to all the people who helped in the successful completion of this academic endeavor. Words are invaluable debt of gratitude I feel towards all the well-wishers who gave me financial, emotional, intellectual and spiritual support throughout this academic journey. My gratitude goes to my supervisor, Dr. Kofi Ohene-Konadu, Dr. Sulemana Amanzoya, Dr. James Dzisah, Dr. Rabui Asante and all lecturers at the Department of Sociology, you have served as mentors, fathers and friends throughout this hectic journey of my academic life and for your endurance and patience with me as I struggled with my academic works due to poor health. My deepest gratitude also goes to Mr. Hector Amponsah Nyinaku, Dr. Prince Ofori Amponsah and Miss Magdalene Agoe, all of Azumah Resources Ghana Limited for the support and encouragement. To Dr. Timothy Senunyeme and Dr. Richard Asamoah of Legon Hospital and to my mates, Deladem Anku, Augustine Kaku, Juana Dampte and Solomon Musah for all your visits to the hospital leaving behind your academic work and helping me catch up with studies, God richly bless you. Finally, Prophetess Victoria Haizel of Faith Fire Gospel International Church (Tema), Rev. Richard Asiamoah and Pastor N.A Mintah for your counselling and prayers during this arduous journey. To my friends Joy Amedzugbe, Tsootso Laryea, Josephine Tettey and Vanessa Brobbey, your friendship and support is appreciated. iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ABSTRACT Homelessness is a global challenge that many countries are battling with because of its numerous challenges. Many cities around the world are filled with migrants who go there in search of better living conditions. However, many of them end up disappointed, a situation that compels them to be on the streets in order to make a living. This study investigated the coping and survival strategies of homeless people in Tema Community One, a city in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The objectives of the study were to examine the causes of homelessness, the challenges encountered by homeless people, the survival and coping strategies of homeless people and to identify the social and economic welfare systems used by homeless people. The study found that financial problems, poverty, unemployment, peer pressure and the perceived better living conditions in the cities were the major reasons of homelessness in this part of Ghana. The study also revealed that although some respondents were pulled to the city to secure employment, there is the challenge of securing employment for the homeless as many of them lack the required skills to secure better jobs, stigmatization, poor health and sanitation problems. According to respondents, they are able to cope and survive on the streets by engaging in activities like truck pushing, sales of sachet water, handkerchiefs, toffees and panhandling. And social networks were useful to the homeless as they derived a sense of compassion, encouragement, security and job allocation from it. As found by this study, there is no welfare system for homeless people in Tema. However, some philanthropists, individuals and Faith based organization come occasionally to assist them. The Mixed Method design was the main research method used for the study. In all 100 questionnaires were administered to respondents supplemented by Focus Group Discussions, In- Depth Interviews, Face to Face Interviews and Observations. iv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AMA Accra Metropolitan Assembly CAS Catholic Action for Street Children COHRE Center On Housing Right and Evictions DFID Department of International Development GPRS Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy GLSS Ghana Living Standard Survey GPHC Ghana Population And Hosing Census GSS Ghana Statistical Service HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome LMIC Low and Middle Income Countries LEAP Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty NCFH National Center On Family Homelesness NGO Non-Governmental Organization NHIS National Health Insurance Scheme UNICEF United Nations International Emergency Fund UNFPA United Nations Popultaion Fund UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund WHO World Health Organization v University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh Table of Content Contents Page DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................. i DEDICATION ................................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................................... iii ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................................... v Table of Content ............................................................................................................................ vi List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. xi CHAPTER ONE ............................................................................................................................. 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background to the Study ....................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Objectives of the Study ......................................................................................................... 6 1.4 Research Question ................................................................................................................. 6 1.5 Significance of the Study ...................................................................................................... 7 1.6 Delimitation of the Study ...................................................................................................... 8 1.7 Ethical Considerations........................................................................................................... 9 1.8 Definition of Concepts .......................................................................................................... 9 1.9 Organization of the Study ................................................................................................... 10 CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................................... 11 LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................................. 11 2.1 Concept of Homelessness.................................................................................................... 11 2.2 Definition of Homelessness ................................................................................................ 12 2.2.1 Defining Homelessness Internationally ........................................................................... 13 2.2 TYPES OF HOMELESSNESS ........................................................................................... 15 2.2.1 Situational or Transitional Homelessness ..................................................................... 15 vi University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2.2.2 Chronic Homelessness .................................................................................................. 15 2.2.3 Episodical Homelessness .............................................................................................