Prostitution in Ghana

Prostitution is illegal but widespread in Ghana,[1][2] so much so that many Ghanaians are unaware that it is prohibited.[3] There are growing sex tourism, child prostitution[4] and human trafficking.[5][6] High rates of unemployment and poverty in Ghana are believed to be causing a drastic growth in the sex industry.[7][8] Unemployment is a reason the teenage engage in sex trade.[9][10] A high percentage of sex workers are vulnerable to HIV.[11]

Some prostitutes in Ghana are campaigning for the sex trade to be legalised,[9][12] and discussions have taken place.[2]

Ghana's former Prime Minister, Dr Kofi Abrefa Busia, an Oxford sociologist, wrote a thesis on prostitution “Report on a social survey of Sekondi-Takoradi.“[5]

  1. ^ "2008 Human Rights Report: Ghana". State.gov. 25 February 2009. Archived from the original on 26 February 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  2. ^ a b Overview of Trafficking and Prostitution Laws in the Middle East and Africa (PDF) (Report). Thomson Reuters Foundation. November 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  3. ^ Bindman, Jo; Doezema, Jo (1997). "Redefining Prostitution as Sex Work on the International Agenda" (PDF). Atria. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
  4. ^ Tornyi, Emmanuel (31 August 2015). "UNICEF report: Cape Coast tops child prostitution in Ghana – Survey – News – Pulse". Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  5. ^ a b "Prostitution in Ghana". 12 July 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  6. ^ "Ghana". Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  7. ^ Yeboah, Muriel A. (1 January 2008). Gender and Livelihoods: Mapping the Economic Strategies of Porters in Accra, Ghana (PhD thesis). West Virginia University. ProQuest 304446957.
  8. ^ Opare, Albert (24 March 2016). "Relationship Between Unemployment And Prostitution In Ghana". modernghana.com. Retrieved 12 March 2017.
  9. ^ a b Isaac Kaledzi (21 August 2013). "Prostitutes in Ghana battle for recognition". Deutsche Welle.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference ency was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ "IOM Study shows HIV vulnerability among female sex workers in Ghana". Newstimeafrica.com. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  12. ^ "Make Prostitution Legal - Prostitutes Urge Gov't". ghanatrade.gov.gh. Retrieved 12 March 2017.