Queen mothers, NGOs, and orphans: Transformations in traditional women's political organization in an era of HIV and orphanhood in Manya Klo, Ghana

Abstract

Drah, B.B. 2014. Queen mothers, NGOs, and orphans: Transformations in traditional women's political organization in an era of HIV and orphanhood in Manya Klo, Ghana. Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift–Norwegian Journal of Geography Vol. 68, 10–21. ISSN 0029-1951.

Women's groups in sub-Saharan Africa have made significant contributions to the response to the twin epidemics of HIV and orphanhood. However, researchers have focused almost exclusively on grandmother-headed orphan-filled households. Consequently, very limited knowledge exists of the role of traditional female political leaders in alleviating the conditions of orphans. The article analyses the institution of queen mother in Manya Klo, Ghana. It describes the institution's emergence, the changes that have occurred within it such as becoming NGOs, and its involvement in the development of interventions for HIV and orphans. The results suggest that the transformations within traditional political institutions and the personal interests of queen mothers directly impact the survival of the institution, and these factors combine to affect the survival of orphans. Apart from providing material support to orphans, there is the need to examine critically the different types of female political institutions that provide leadership to local communities in times of crisis and to empower them to respond to the needs of orphans and their households.

Keywords:

• Ghanaian queen mothers
• HIV/AIDS
• NGOs
• orphans
• women's movements

Notes

1 The information was obtained from the files of the MKQMA.

2 Unpublished report written in 2007 by Manya Krobo District Assembly, titled ‘Government of Ghana Ministry of Local Government Rural Development and Environment: Medium-term district development plan for Manya Krobo (2006–2009)’.