Causes

International affairs Human services

Posted by

Mary Kathryne H.

US Director

Our mission

A Ban Against Neglect breaks the cycle of poverty among young mothers in Ghana by helping them to empower themselves and their communities, and teaching them how to nurture their families and the environment.

What we do

The burgeoning West African metropolis of Accra, Ghana, is a deceiving lure for many rural teenagers growing up in poverty and hardship. With no other opportunities, thousands of Ghanaian young women abandon their families and rural communities for the city streets each year. But instead of empowering them, the city traps them. Pregnant without support and constantly hustling wares through the streets, they fight to protect themselves and their children from abuse and neglect.

ABAN breaks this cycle of poverty by intervening in young mothers’ lives before they take to the streets. Our ABAN Women’s Empowerment (AWE) program identifies vulnerable young mothers in rural areas near Accra, providing them with opportunities to flourish in their communities rather than risk hard life on the streets of Accra. While restoring each participant’s existing family connections, we teach her to nurture her child, build secure job opportunities and invest in her community. She leaves ABAN prepared to build a better future.

We also know empowerment requires community. That’s why our ABAN Community Employment (ACE) center provides vocational training for our students and produces our beautiful upcycled products from discarded plastic bags. Our focus on sustainability roots our students deeper in their community and their environment. We also seek partnership with local community leaders and offer quality childcare. Together, we build a stable community environment to nurture these young women and children on their journey toward empowerment.