Street Homes and Its Security Implications in Kumasi Metropolis-Ghana

Abstract

The study sought to identify the risk factors associated with street homes and the security implications of street homes. The study adopted a social survey design where a probability sampling, specifically the systematic sampling and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 200 respondents consisting of 120 children who lived in street homes, 60 parents who stayed in street homes and 20 police personnel. Interview questionnaire was the main tool for the data collection. Quantitative approach was used for the data analysis. The study found that risk factors associated with street homes included; victims of rape and sexual assault, engagement in all social vices, school drop-out, engagement in child labour, health problems, teenage pregnancy, victim of child prostitution, engagement in robbery and stealing, engagement in drug addiction, environmental pollution and influence by bad peers. Security personnel considered street homes as a major national security threat which had many security implications in the country; hence the researcher recommended that government should provide accommodation for parent/s who live in street homes with their family.