Young homeless first-time voter, Maa Afia, has shared a heartbreaking story of how an argument with her father led to her involvement in prostitution.
Maa Afia, who had a tumultuous relationship with her stepmother and endured maltreatment at home, reported her father to the police after he hit her with a belt. As a result, she was kicked out of her home and left to fend for herself.
Unable to find a decent job, Maa Afia turned to the streets of Kwame Nkrumah for survival, resorting to prostitution as her only source of income.
She expressed the challenges she faces, including lack of food, shelter, and exposure to various health risks while sleeping under footbridges and in front of stores.
Maa Afia’s story is not unique, as other first-time voters like Ama, Aisha, Isaac, Wisdom, Kojo, and Yaw have also found themselves on the streets of Accra due to various circumstances.
Some left home to support struggling families, while others were forced to leave due to the ban on mining activities in their communities.
These young individuals have expressed disillusionment with political parties that have failed to deliver on promises, leading them to lose interest in exercising their right to vote.
They are calling on the government and political parties to address their needs and provide support, emphasizing that this is crucial for their participation in the upcoming 2024 elections.
Life on the streets is fraught with challenges, but these first-time voters believe that with the right interventions, they can have a chance at a better future.
