THE CHALLENGES IN SENYA-BERAKU

Senya-Beraku is an ancient Guan state located in the Central Region of the Republic of Ghana, precisely in the Awutu Senya District. It shares borders with Winneba on the west and Gomoa Fete on the east. To the South is the Atlantic Ocean and on the North, Awutu-Beraku, the hometown of the current football icon and Chelsea midfielder, Michael Essien. It takes an hour of traffic-free drive from the heart of the capital city, Accra, to reach Senya-Beraku, 76kilometers to be precise.

Fort Good Hope

The town is far bigger than what strangers expect and it boasts of the colourful Akumase festival and Fort Good Hope, built by the Dutch in the 1660s. The fort later became famous for the slave-market even when slavery was abolished. Fort of Good Hope…. boasts of a dramatic cliff-top position overlooking a beach covered with colourful fishing boats and it is reportedly safe for swimming. (Philip Briggs)

The people of Senya-Beraku are extensively engaged in the fishing industry, an occupation that is the only stronghold of the economy of the community. Anytime there is a bumper harvest of fish in Senya-Beraku, every other economic activity receives a boost. But when the reverse is the story, even children, are unable to attend school regularly due to financial breakdowns of their parents.

Since the late 1990s, Senya-Beraku, which is well known for its bumper fish harvest, has severely suffered decline in the industry, a situation which has impoverished the majority of inhabitants. Owing to this, most of the youth, especially the young men, are venturing into the perilous search for greener pastures through the Sahara desert to Libya and overseas (now that Libya is in such an unfortunate war state, the fate of our brothers who depend on the Libya route are hopeless), while the majority of young girls are struggling at market centers in Accra. The few who struggle to be educated end up not passing out well or being able to further their education due to lack of financial support. Only a handful of the youth are able to pursue training in hair-dressing, tailoring, masonry and carpentry. 

Senya-Beraku is faced with so many problems ranging from chronic chieftaincy dispute to high rate of child trafficking. The area records one of the high numbers of teenage pregnancy in the Central Region while it tops the chart in child trafficking in West Africa, with at least six children being trafficked weekly. The issue of teenage pregnancy is also dicey because most teenage mothers are faced with the situation of irresponsible men and ‘run-away husbands.’ In any case, it is the innocent children, resulting from these relationships, who suffer the mishaps.

Worst of all, most mothers in Senya-Beraku single handedly cater for numerous children due to mass irresponsible fathers coupled with high birth rate. As a result, illiteracy rate continues to remain on the increase in the area, consequently retarding development. 

Lack of good health is another issue that devastates the bulk of inhabitants of Senya-Beraku. Malaria and other fatal diseases deprive most children and adults of the joy of full and happy life due to poor sanitation and poor health care facilities.  One major health burden on the neck of the town is the undeveloped Health Centre, which often causes patients to be referred to Winneba, a neighbouring town, for better health care at critical moments.  Sadly, due to the distance involved, referred patients stand high risks of death while on transit to Winneba Government Hospital.  

Moreover, there is general lack of good academic performance in the area. Most children fail the Basic Education Certificate Education each year due to lack of both internal and external motivations such as financial support towards education. Consequently, illiteracy, poor academic performance and the incidence of school dropouts perennially increase. It is on account of this that the Destiny Hope Africa is poised on making a difference for the sake of the future of the younger generation in this community. In their hands lies the future of our world.

A parent. Three of her kids are in the school. In the background is her place of abode.