One of the most common jobs for young migrants from the Northern part of Ghana, particularly females, is head portering, popularly known as being a kayayo.
Kayayei (the plural of kayayo) earn between GHC5 and GHC50, depending on the heaviness of their load and the distance they have to walk.
The majority of these young women see their job as a kayayo as a chance to save up for marriage, start a new trade or save money for school.
Kande Mahama, a 25-year-old, moved from a village in Walewale in the North-East Region to Accra to become a head porter.
Her dream of continuing her education was cut short when she got pregnant.
Her boyfriend, who promised to help her further her studies, failed to do so after she refused to give birth to a second child.
Kande works as a head porter in the Central Business District of Accra and is forced to spend the night sleeping in front of a shop in Tudu, Accra.
This results in uncomfortable living conditions. Still, she plans to save money so that she can continue her studies or make a difference, and says she has no intention of giving up.
Listen below to Kande’s story, reported by Asaase 99.5 Accra’s Eugenia Nyantakyi:
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