“I always think about tomorrow what I'll eat” an exploration of the experiences of adolescents in poor urban contexts in Accra, Ghana

Abstract

Poverty deprives children and adolescents of good sanitation, nutrition, shelter, education, quality water, health services and negatively lead to poor physical and mental health. However, limited studies exist on the experiences of adolescents in poor urban contexts in Ghana. Using 20 adolescents from James Town, Accra, findings show adolescents look beyond money when conceptualizing poverty. They also encounter both pleasant and negative experiences in their context while remaining determined to pursue education for a better future. Implications are discussed considering the need to promote communal support because of its relevance to the well-being of the adolescents within poor urban contexts.