By Dorothy Ashong
Migration remains a significant driver of change, yet for many young females in Ghana, the journey from the North to the South is often driven more by desperation than choice. While moving is typically viewed as a means to improve one’s life, the reality for young girls migrating from the five northern regions—Upper West, Upper East, North East, Savannah, and Northern—is a complex narrative of “push” and “pull” factors that rarely align with their dreams.
Migration researchers categorise push factors as conditions that compel individuals to leave their places of origin, including famine, drought, conflict, and a lack of job opportunities. In contrast, pull factors are those conditions that attract people to a new location, often in the hope of securing better livelihoods or improved living standards.
For years, Ghana has experienced a steady influx of young girls fleeing rural poverty in search of better opportunities in major cities like Accra. Lacking modern jobs and factories in their hometowns, many of these girls, often under the age of 18, seek work as shop assistants, nannies, street hawkers, and “Kayayei” (head porters).
To understand their real-life experiences, I conducted a group discussion at the Madina market in Accra, speaking with six young female head porters. We explored the financial struggles that forced them to move, their shattered dreams, and the harsh realities of life in the capital city.
The Money Problem: Poverty as a Starting Point
The primary reason these young females leave their homes is the lack of financial support. For many, migrating to the South is seen as the only viable option to fund a future that seems otherwise unattainable.
One respondent, a mother of one and pregnant with her second child, said her husband’s income could no longer meet the family’s needs. She migrated south to save money and return home to start a small business.
For others, migration means an abrupt end to their education. “I was in school, but I had to drop out because my parents could not afford it,” shared another respondent. “I wanted to start a business, but I couldn’t. Now, I am in Accra to make money so I can return home and train to become a fashion designer.”
A third participant recounted her similar plight: she began training as a hairstylist but had to stop because she could not afford the necessary tools. She hopes that working in the streets of Madina will provide the income her hometown could not.
Reality Check: High Hopes vs. Hard Times
Despite their hard work, the allure of the city often proves to be misleading. The economic challenges have made it difficult for people to afford the services provided by head porters.
“I had high hopes of making enough money to go back and learn a trade,” one girl said sadly, “but money is not easy to come by. People are not using head porters like they used to.”
Among the six participants, four admitted that their dreams have not yet materialized. One girl, who had been in Accra for eight months, described the constant pressure: “No matter what I earn, family members back home call and ask for money. When I can’t send it, they are unhappy.”
Ironically, these are often the same families who financed their journey in the first place, sometimes working on other people’s farms just to gather enough bus fare to migrate south.
The Hardships of the “Kayayei” Life
The challenges these girls face extend far beyond low wages. With a high number of head porters in Madina, there is a significant shortage of work; some girls spend entire days walking around the market without a single customer or any earnings. When they do find work, their living conditions pose serious risks.
They often sleep in places that are breeding grounds for mosquitoes, leading to frequent illnesses. The buildings are poorly maintained, leaking during the rainy season, and becoming uncomfortably hot and overcrowded in the dry season. On top of these health hazards, the girls are vulnerable to security threats, with many reporting that thieves break into their rooms to steal their hard-earned money while they sleep.
The Way Forward: Developing the North
Asked what could reduce migration from the North, all six young females pointed to economic opportunity.
They called for accessible loans through local financial institutions, as well as investment in infrastructure such as hospitals, electricity, water systems, and factories to create jobs.
Some also advocated for skills training centres, properly equipped with tools and supported by start-up funding after completion.
Notably, none of the women supported the idea of expanding schools alone. They said many families lack the resources to sustain education once children enrol.
Advice to others considering migration was mixed. One said she would discourage others from moving south, describing conditions as “very tough”. Another said she would advise people to stay home, citing financial hardship in the cities.
One participant preferred honesty. “I would tell them the truth and let them decide,” she said.
Another was more resigned. “Even if you tell them the truth, they will still come,” she said. “Some people believe they might be lucky. Maybe life will be better for them here than at home.”
For many of these young females, the journey from the North to the South is not driven by ambition, but by necessity. Until opportunity reaches their communities, the road away from home will remain the only option they see.
