Influence of social and demographic factors on crime in Kasoa

Abstract

The study sought to examine the influence of social and demographic factors on crime in Kasoa. The exploratory two-stage sequential mixed method research approach based on pragmatic paradigm was used. In the first stage, interviews were conducted with 26 participants comprising two key informants and twenty-four focus group discussion participants at three community levels. A sample involving 246 respondents was sampled using cluster sampling, completed the questionnaire for the second stage. Data was triangulated, using semi-structured interview guide and observation checklist as instruments for data collection. Data collected was analyzed using thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that, various social and demographic factors such as unemployment, unregulated urbanization, age, low level of education, parental neglect, peer influence and drug abuse influenced crime in Kasoa. Also, crime negatively affected the social well-being of residents, including; fear and panic, lack of belongingness and insecurity, sense of disunity, lack of confidence in the police, lack of trust for one another and partly interfered in their daily activities. Further, a multi-faceted approach such as institutional security strategies, local-level community strategies and personal protection strategies to reducing crime was identified from the results. Based on the findings of the study, it is recommended that the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations should increase employment opportunities to the citizens, especially the youth to discourage rural-urban migration to reduce the high rate of unemployment. Also, the government should aid the Ghana Police Service to acquire and make use of technology in its crime prevention efforts, such as using more cameras, forensic tools and databases, to effectively track and prevent crime. Moreover, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly should institute social systems or structures for the vulnerable in Kasoa, aimed at improving family support and stability, reducing drug abuse, and promoting positive attitudes towards crime prevention among the residents.