They had dreams of a better life but due to challenges, they had to settle as head porters, locally known as Kayayei. In this report, Ubaida Awudu explores why girls from the Northern part of Ghana settle for the head porterage job out of the countless jobs in Accra and whether they have plans of quitting the job to focus on a more defined long-term profession or career.
Head porterage is an old and popular menial job in the country, which can be traced back to the days of people who carry other people’s loads for a fee.
Many young girls from the regions of the North have all due to the lack of financial support and other opportunities have migrated to the south to earn a living.
Most of the young girls GBC News spoke to at the Madina Market say they have hopes of accomplishing their dreams but have settled for this job as a temporary measure.
Yahaya Huzema, a head porter from Janga in the North East Region says due to lack of employment, she joined her elder sister in Accra to be a kayayo to save money and to help her mother and siblings back because she lost her father at a younger age.
Issahaku Zina also from Janga in the North East Region says she has dreams of becoming an Immigration Officer but due to financial problems, she came to Accra after she completed high school with good grades to be a head porter to raise funds to further her education.
Hamida Mustapha, a head porter from Bibiani in the Western Region says she was compelled to opt for this job because she had to raise money as start-up capital for trade in her hometown so she can earn good income to cater for her family.
Another head porter, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she used to earn up to 50 cedis a day in this business but the current economic challenges have made it difficult for her to even make 20 cedis a day.
A shopper says kayayeis are very useful figures because they help carry her heavy loads anytime, she goes to the market but they are not always certain about their prices.
A cosmetic shop owner also says he has a personal kayayo who helps with his shop every day. And without her help, running business will be hectic.
These young girls have dreams, yet the temporary job of head porterage seems to be the only hope they are forced by circumstances to hang on to without help from anywhere. They hope for an intervention from government to better their lives.
Filed By: Ubaida Awudu
