An Inherent Burden

Kinship, migration and HIV/AIDS among the Akan of Ghana

Authors

• Perpetual Crentsil University of Helsinki https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7825-9915

DOI: https://doi.org/10.30676/jfas.v33i2.116440

Abstract

The connection between rural-urban migration, risky survival activities and HIV infections in sub-Saharan African societies has been central among the social and cultural factors associated with the high rates of HIV/AIDS in the continent. But the underlying role of kinship in this relationship has been less documented. This article discusses the connection of kinship in rural-urban migration and HIV infections among the matrilineal Akan of Ghana. There is a pressure on people to migrate from their villages to urban areas where they are expected to be successful and remit to other kin members back home. When people become infected, the burden then turns to lie on kin members to care for the AIDS patients. The article concludes that the family pressures reflected in the stories of many AIDS patients in Akan society are too huge to ignore. It suggests that interpersonal dialogues as campaign strategies should target  both individuals and family members in households.

 

Keywords: kinship obligations, migration, HIV/AIDS, Akan of Ghana