There is a renewed focus to examine the transition to adulthood among the urban poor, a vulnerable population that is growing in low and middle income countries. Therefore, this project will explore adolescents’ transition to adulthood in an urban poor setting using a mixed methods approach. The study first aims to understand what adolescents and adults consider as typical markers of adulthood in Ga Mashie, Accra, the selected study site, using focus group discussions. Another study aim includes use of a survey, consisting of a life history calendar, to examine the pathways through which these adolescents transition to adulthood. Finally, we assess whether the life history calendar is an appropriate tool for that context.
Dr Brendan Burchell and Dr Adriana Biney (University of Ghana) are leading this project funded by the Cambridge-Africa ALBORADA Research Fund.