A 21-year-old mother of triplets, Alimatu Ibrahim Sadia, is living under difficult conditions in Accra after allegedly being abandoned by the father of her children and left without family support.
The young mother, originally from Tamale in the Northern Region, currently resides with her three children in a makeshift shelter within a slum community near the Agbogbloshie Yam Market in Accra.
Agbogbloshie Yam Market
She reportedly survives by begging on the streets of Accra to feed her one-year-six-month-old triplets due to the absence of a stable source of income.
Speaking to the Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), Alimatu said she depended on alms from the public to cater for the children.
“I beg people for money so I can buy food for my children,” she said.
According to her, the father of the children, identified as Sulemana Baba, a small-scale farmer, has not provided financial support since the birth of the children. She also claimed that no assistance has been received from his family.
Alimatu further stated that she has no reliable family support system. She said her mother is deceased, while her father lives far away with his new wife.
She indicated that she is unable to consistently provide food and basic care for the children, adding that she sometimes manages to feed them “just a little.”
The young mother said she was seeking support to establish a small business to enable her to become self-reliant and cater for her children.
“I need help so I can do something to take care of my children,” she said.
The situation reflects the challenges faced by some vulnerable young women who migrate from northern Ghana to urban centres such as Accra in search of livelihood opportunities but end up in precarious living conditions.
Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG) has therefore called on government institutions, non-governmental organisations, philanthropists, and other stakeholders to support Alimatu and her children.
It said support could include food, shelter, healthcare, education for the children, and vocational training or startup capital for the mother to improve her living conditions.
Individuals and organisations willing to assist may contact HRRG on +233 (0)244 424 699 or via email at hrrghana@gmail.com.
