Growing up in slums: Experiences of adolescents in Elmina, Ghana.

Abstract

Adolescence is a transitional phase from childhood to adulthood, and it is often observed as a phase with heightened risk for future positive development. Adolescents‘ behaviours and socio-economic status are influenced by their social environment. This study assessed the experiences of adolescents growing up in slums in Elmina, Ghana. Bronfenbrenner‘s Bioecological System Theory (Bronfenbrenner, 2005) was adopted and modified to help understand the experiences of adolescents in slums. The conceptual framework suggested how the adolescents developed some coping strategies to cope with their environment which it helped in developmental outcomes. The study adopted exploratory sequential mixed method research design approach. Questionnaire and focus group discussion guides were used to collect data from adolescents through the simple random and purposive samplings respectively. Interview guides were used to collect data from the key informants through purposive sampling. A total of 313 questionnaires were retrieved from the respondents representing a response rate of 100%. The findings of the study revealed that adolescents were influenced by their socioeconomic environment and so they developed some coping strategies to cope with their environment. Though there were a few helps given by the district assembly and non-governmental agencies, the adolescents requested for more interventions from the government and social supports systems. The study recommended the establishment of community-based youth facilities to alleviate some of the issues adolescents go through and constant monitoring by NGO‘s and Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem Assembly on the entrepreneurial training given to adolescents and their parents.