Nature and Practice of Commercial Sex Work in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to investigate the nature and practice of commercial sex work in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana. The approach was nested concurrent mixed methods. The study consisted of two sets of respondents: 356 commercial sex workers and eight persons in key positions in key stakeholder institutions, all sampled from the Cape Coast Metropolis. Multi-stage sampling procedures were used for each category of participants: purposive sampling, simple random sampling, and convenience sampling for the commercial sex workers and simple random sampling and purposive sampling for the key informants. Questionnaire and an interview guide were used to collect data. Age and level of education had significant influence on the level of participation in commercial sex work. However, marital status and religion did not have any significant influence on the level of participation in commercial sex work. Level of participation was a negative predictor of self-esteem. Also, the sex workers were predominantly streetwalkers and nearly all the commercial sex workers have been practicing commercial sex for more than two years in the Cape Coast Metropolis. The level of self-esteem of the participants was found to be low. Also, they felt harassed, abused, discriminated against, and stigmatized by their patrons, personnel of law enforcement agencies. Family background, peer pressure, parental influences, and socio-economic difficulties were among the major factors responsible for entry into commercial sex work. The study recommends regular voluntary psycho-social services to the commercial sex workers to assist them explore alternative job avenues to resolve their socio-economic challenges.