| dc.description.abstract |
The subject of crime and poverty has long been of interest in the field of crime studies.
Consequently, many studies in criminology have explored the extent to which crime correlates
with poverty and the mechanisms that facilitate this relationship. Based on a household survey
and a qualitative study conducted in different socio-economic neighbourhoods in four key cities
(Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi, and Tamale), this paper explores the extent to which crime
and poverty can be correlated in urban Ghana. This is interesting given the fact that limited studies
have been undertaken on the subject of crime and poverty in urban Ghana, although a large body
of literature exists on urbanization. The paper reveals that low-class and high-class
neighbourhoods were assessed to be relatively safe compared with middle-class
neighbourhoods—a conclusion that contradicts broad findings in the criminology literature. The
relative safety of low-class neighbourhoods compared with middle-class neighbourhoods is
attributed to strong social cohesion and the presence of guardianship at all times of the day in
poor neighbourhoods. However, the findings of the paper also suggest a relationship between
poverty and crime for specific crimes such as sexual and property offences, in line with the
literature. The study recommends that crime prevention measures be place-specific and that urban
planning in Ghana recognize in practical terms that a built-up environment can facilitate as well
as prevent crimes. |
en_US |