In recent years, a troubling issue has emerged within several government basic schools at Ayeduase, Kotei, Deduako and their surrounding areas near the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi.
A survey conducted by Nurturing Dreams Ghana (NDG) – a well-respected non-governmental organisation dedicated to empowering underprivileged youth and women through character-based skill training – has shed light on the alarming academic and social challenges faced by children in these communities.
The situation in communities around KNUST demands immediate attention and action. The growing menace of juvenile crime and vulnerability among children is a call to social responsibility for all of us, not just a select few.
Academic struggles and vulnerability
NDG’s survey revealed a distressing pattern of poor academic performance among students in these schools – with some even scoring below 20percent in the Basic Education Certificate Examination. Shockingly, a significant portion of these students struggle with basic literacy skills; unable to read and write effectively.
An additional study, although unpublished, conducted by two heads of schools in the area unveilled another disconcerting fact: approximately 80 percent of the schoolchildren live with non-biological parents, while 10 percent reside with unrelated guardians. This lack of quality parental control and care has left many children largely unsupervised, rendering them vulnerable to negative influences such as substance abuse, involvement in quick money schemes and even prostitution.
The cycle of poverty and social vices
These challenges are closely tied to the poverty that afflicts these children and their families. Desperate for economic stability, some of these youngsters turn to social vices that ultimately hinder their academic progress. It is heartbreaking to learn that some of these vulnerable children are the offspring of past university students who exploited girls offering laundry and cleaning services for financial gain. Tragically, these girls are abandoned when they become pregnant; leaving them and their children in dire straits.
NDG’s commitment to change
Nurturing Dreams Ghana recognises the urgent need to address these issues which threaten the well-being of children and communities around KNUST. Our organisation is dedicated to mitigating the impact of these challenges through various initiatives. However, we acknowledge that the scale of this problem requires collaborative efforts from all stakeholders, as this menace is neither unnoticed nor lacking in consequences.
The rising threat of juvenile crime
If left unchecked, this crisis will continue and produce a generation of vulnerable youth potentially resorting to criminal activities. Alarmingly, these susceptible children have become easy targets for armed gangs, who actively recruit them into criminal operations. The result is a surge in juvenile crime within these communities, posing a threat to the safety and security of all residents.
A call to action
While NDG is committed to leading the charge against this issue, we recognise the magnitude of the challenge ahead. To achieve lasting change, we need collective efforts from the entire community and beyond. We implore all stakeholders to join hands with NDG in our mission to rescue, train and redirect these children toward a brighter future.
Let us unite, partner with NDG and stand together to ensure a safer and brighter future for these children and the communities they call home. Together, we can make a significant impact and help these young minds and hearts thrive rather than fall victim to the perils of their surroundings.
>>>the writer is a purpose-driven Social Entrepreneur and Journalist, who has dedicated a decade to improving the lives of vulnerable teenagers and women through Character and Competence-based Skill Training. She has worked with 5,000+ young people, partnered with 10 TVET schools and served as Secretary for the Ashanti Regional Business Committee RBC, spearheading the entrepreneurship component of the MasterCard Foundation’s Young African Works (YAW) project. Her efforts have enabled 3,000 young women to secure dignified employment, driving her vision for a future where at-risk teenagers thrive in a high-skilled job market. She can be reached at [email protected]
