‘We Become Tough and Strong … When We Are Able to Push Through’: Experiences of Children and Adolescents in Zongo Communities in Accra, Ghana

The Zongo communities have become epicentres for social vices such as drug use, sexual exploitation, violence and fraudulent activities. Despite these issues, little research has been done on the experiences of children and adolescents living in these communities. Therefore, this study explored the lived experiences of 10 children and adolescents in Zongo communities and how they cope with the challenges they experience. Findings from thematic analysis show that while negative experiences were prevalent, participants also had rewarding experiences. Negative experiences pertained to inadequate healthcare, poor parental care and supervision, lack of public amenities, theft and swindling (scamming), low socio-economic status and exposure to violence. Positive experiences included resilience attributes and self-dependence. Further, the findings show that participants used both adaptive strategies such as survival skills, social support and religious coping and maladaptive coping strategies such as drug use, fraudulent activities and the use of violence. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions that enhance protective factors while mitigating risks, ultimately fostering a safer and more supportive environment for the children and adolescents in these communities.