Street Children and Adolescents in Ghana: A Qualitative Study of Trajectory and Behavioural Experiences of Homelessness

This study was conducted to understand the lived experiences of street children and adolescents. Using a qualitative approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 purposively selected homeless children and youth (with a mean age of 14 years) from the Central Business District of Accra, Ghana. Thematic analysis showed that disorganised and broken homes, following family members to the city and the desires for freedom from parents were identified as the factors that push children to the street. Notwithstanding the main reasons for being homeless, participants’ behaviours on the street exposes them to severe behavioural and health risks problems including substance and alcohol use, sexual harassment and rape, violence and violent-related behaviours and perceived public stigma. These findings underscore the need for an effective community parenting programme that focuses on parental and proactive family reconciliation skills, and the provision of supportive structures to help youth access physical and mental health services from providers.