The Dynamics of Urban Poverty in Ashiedu Keteke Sub-Metropolitan Area: Youth Unemployment and Coping Strategies
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Date
2006-07
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
This study examines three main issues concerning the youth in the Asbiedu Keteke Sub-metropolitan Area. These include their poverty profiles, unemployment problems and
coping strategies. Central to the increase in urban poverty is the rise in unemployment
especially among the youth. This provides the point of departure for this dissertation. The
first section shows how Ashiedu and its environs, although constituting the commercial
heartland of Accra, have not reached its potential in economic development. The Sub metro
houses all the important commercial facilities like markets, restaurants and lorry
parks in Accra, as well as all the major financial institutions. But it is the most deprived
Sub-metro in the Greater Accra Region. It also accommodates almost an the poor
communities in Accra like Old Fadama (Sodom and Gomorrah), Salaha, and Jamestown
among others. Being the commercial center of the Metropolis, it has become densely
populated and also attracts migrants from all parts of the country. The commercial
activities in the area, 'low cost areas' (slums) as wen as fishing activities have made the
place a haven for the youth who did not go to school or have dropped out of school and
do not have regular employment.
The study identifies rural-urban migration as one of the main causes of urban
unemployment especially among the youth. Low level of education as a result of high
drop out rate was also seen as one of the major problems that lead to poverty and
unemployment in the Sub-metro.
The survey sampled tine deprived communities in Ashiedu Keteke (one from each
electoral Area) for the study. Having outlined the causes and dimensions of this sluggish
economic position of the Sub-metro, the study considers how the unemployed youth
survive through both economic and non-economic strategies. Most of the youth living in
these areas are living in extreme poverty. Their living standard is low and most of them
face accommodation problem. They have low level of education; they do not have regular
jobs and are involved in so many activities to survive. Some also use immoral and illegal
means to survive. Family support and support from network groups as well as
involvement .in non-formal sector money making activities were also seen as some of the
survival means for the youth.
With this in mind it is argued that addressing the current situation of urban youth
unemployment, growing poverty and inequality (as well as redressing the legacy of past
inequities) requires broad municipal response to urban youth unemployment. Instead of
the current tendency to view poverty simply as the product of income and consumption
deprivation, a more widely defined response to urban poverty reduction, based on a
livelihoods framework, is proposed.
Description
MA in Development Studies
Keywords
Urban Poverty, Ashiedu Keteke, Youth Unemployment, Coping Strategies