History has undoubtedly recorded experiences of many people who through humble beginnings, living in abject poverty but through hard work and pushing through those walls of poverty had risen to fame, riches and wealth. Majority of these people either had an education whilst working alongside to earn some income or had no education at all, but did menial jobs in order to sustain themselves as well as their families.
Based on such experiences in the past, we decided to research and gather enough information about the children who engage in similar activities for money to sustain themselves or their families. Spotting places of dominant activities, African Post decided to visit the Tespo market in Accra-Spintex road, Kaneshi market and Tema Station market in Ghana to obtain more information surrounding such activities and to fully to understand the circumstances that have shaped the “carry on children”.
“The carry on children” are specifically children who carry goods in the market for people at a price. Prior to the nature of their work, African Post was fascinated and intrigued by these kids’ hard working ethics. As a result, we decided to unveil the reasons behind these children’s’ activity engagements by personally reaching out to them even as we gathered enough information from the people who sell in the markets.
In our journey to gather information from the carry on boys themselves, we came across quite a number of them. Our first interviewee is Emmanuel Buabasa who volunteered to share his story with us. Emmanuel, 12 years of age, and a class four student at Baatsona Junior High School commenced business approximately 4 months ago. He works and lives with his grandmother in the Tesco market prior to the instructions of his mother to leave the Volta region (Ho) and undertake this particular activity. Even though Emmanuel decided to show us his place of residence in the Tesco market, we however, could not meet his mother and grandmother as both had travelled for a funeral in the Volta region. However, we were able to meet his sister Harriet (25 years of age). Emmanuel, just like most carry on boys, undertakes this activity purposefully to obtain funds in order to cater for his school bills as well as purchase cloths for himself. He earns profits ranging from ₵15 to ₵20 on Saturdays (which happens to be his working days) and approximately 20 customers per week.
Emmanuel went on to explain to us that he obtains gifts like slippers and cloths from some of his customers as a way of appreciating this young boys efforts in helping to carry the goods for them. Emmanuel however has an aspiration of becoming a footballer in the future and currently plays with the Future Soccer team at Tema Station. Emmanuel is the second born out of 3 other siblings. He explained that in the case of rain or illness, he halts any activities. He usually arrives at the main market by 7:30 in the morning and ends around 6 in the evening. He plans of starting another business once he gathers sufficient funds on his own. He also has aspirations of becoming a graduate from a tertiary institution.
Just like Emmanuel, Isaac Abodo also shares similar dreams and aspirations like his friend, Emmanuel. Isaac is from Somanya and 12 years of age. He began this business at the age of 10. He also does this activity for money to cater for his school expenses as well as to support his mother with some funds so as to expand her business and have a store of her own. Isaac acquires revenue ranging from ₵20 to ₵30 every weekend he works and it is based on the distance that his clients ask him to carry the goods for them. He acquires approximately five customers per week. Similar to Emmanuel’s story, Isaac also aspires to become a footballer in the future. According to Isaac, his mum sells tomatoes in the market and his dad is a security official. He explained to us that one of the challenges he has faced in the past with clients is that some customers do not pay the full amount due to him. And in the event of sickness or rain, he does not work. Isaac told us that he aspires to complete his secondary and tertiary education as well.
All these kids found themselves doing what they do either as a result of their parents’ instructions or out of their own self will. Kids like Emmanuel Botie and Joshua Bolcute all began doing this business because they wanted to. These kids usually come over to the Tesco market to hunt for birds and use that as an opportunity to carry goods for people and make extra incomes. Even though they do this business out of sheer will, Joshua Bolcute (14 years of age and began carrying goods 6 years ago) told us that he gathers the funds to cater for his feeding expenses and provides some to his siblings. Emmanuel, on the other hand told us that he does not charge a dime for carrying the goods of people because he “just wants to help people”. Both the dads of Emmanuel and Joshua happened to be fishermen while their mums are tomatoes seller and fish seller respectively.
Most of these kids do not only work on weekends, but also work on vacation seasons (specifically those that attend school).
However, kids like Lafisa from the Northern region and Prince Sappah from the Volta Region who do not attend school, will have to work every day until they can sustain themselves for some time and venture into other businesses of their choice.
Lafisa, like most of the carry on children, began working when she was 12 years of age- that is, two years ago. She basically does this job in order to be able to obtain funds to buy food and clothes for herself. She earns revenue ranging from ₵1 upwards per day which is based on the number of clients she obtains in a day. Lasifa, at night, sleeps under tents in the Tema Station Market where she works.
We also came across Prince Sappah who shared with us a little bit about his life and why he does the carry on business. Prince is twenty years of age. He migrated to Accra from the Volta Region (Ho) as a result of maltreatment from members of his family. He completed his Junior High Education in Accra and went back to the Volta Region to complete his Senior High Education. Both mum and dad of Prince are deceased. As a result, Prince had to work his way through in order to get some funds to cater for his day-to-day expenses. He officially came to Accra in 2015 to work as a carry on boy and earns revenue ranging from ₵5 to ₵15 per day. Due to lack of shelter, Prince sleeps outside the stores at the Kaneshi Market. Even though his mum was a seamstress and his dad was a teacher, Prince aspires to become a musician. He explained to us that he will end this business once he gathers enough funds so as to start up other businesses like selling shoes and sewing dresses. He informed us that he will go back to the Volta Region to meet with his siblings once he accumulates enough money.
Based on the nature of their jobs and their place of residence, some market women called on the need for both government and NGO’s to support these kids in order for them to have a bright future. They called on the need for these kids to be sent to school in order to broaden their mindset with the opportunities out there. They believe that when these kids are taken care of properly, they will be able to take up wonderful initiatives for themselves so as to become great in the future.
Prince, like all the carry on children we met, have great ambitions for themselves as well as for their families. It is our hope that, they will be helped either by NGOs, private individuals or the government to see to the realization of the dreams and ambitions each of them carry in their hearts
By Francis Abban – African Post Online
Follow Us
Putting a spotlight on business, inventions, leadership, influencers, women, technology, and lifestyle. We inspire, educate, celebrate success and reward resilience.
