Instructor: Rev. Dr. S.S. Quarcoopome

Project: Urbanization and Cultural Diversity in Accra

As individuals have migrated into the cities of Ghana over time, their personal hegiras have been accompanied by their cultural and social identities. The transformation and development of Ghanaian cities has provided a melting pot of culture and peoples, which is manifested in our current conception of city life. This project will explore migration into the city of Accra over the years, examining the significance and structure of such a powerful mode of change.(1) Predominant issues in Accra, such as prostitution, pick-pocketing/thievery, drugs, crime, etc., will be explored, in attempt to trace the possible origins of prevalent cultural and social institutions(2) among city dwellers. Utilizing the research and findings, the student will suggest possibilities for improvement. The environmental components of urbanization will also be a major focus of research, as the student will explore how street culture threatens sanitation, environmental initiatives, and an overall consciousness.

The student will conduct interviews throughout various sites in Accra, with homeless and shop-owners alike. The major focus will be on the culture of street peoples and how urbanization has helped construct and embody their behavior. After conducting much research directly in the field, in the heart of Accra, and working with Rev. Dr. S.S. Quarcoopome on examining political and economic conditions of urbanization, the student will have a thorough understanding of cultural, religious, political, and social identity amongst street people, who once migrated to Accra from across Africa and Europe.

Among several other questions, the following could be explored:

• What are the origins of the street culture in Accra?
• What is the political framework behind street peoples?
• What are the environmental impacts of people living on the street?
• How do others regard those who live on the street?
• Is life really better after migration? Is city life better than rural life?
• What motivated migration into the city? What are the conditions of rural life? What is the current appeal to migration?
• Should the culture of the street be accepted, or should there be an attempt to "cure" the homeless individuals?