Understanding child poverty in urban Ghana: Evidence from Techiman Municipality

Child poverty remains a critical issue in Ghana, persisting despite decades of economic growth. This study argues that in Techiman Municipality, a commercial hub in the Bono East Region, child poverty persists because national policies overlook the unique risks posed by commercial migration and the erosion of community support structures. Using mixed-methods research combining data from Ghana's Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS6) and 70 semi-structured interviews the study finds that parental death, insufficient social protection, and limited household resources are primary drivers. With about 40% of Techiman's children facing multidimensional poverty access to essential services remains severely restricted. Importantly, interventions such as LEAP and Free Senior High School have had little impact on Techiman's child vulnerability. By analyzing Techiman as a semi-urban commercial center, the study demonstrates why national economic growth has failed to address persistent local child poverty and recommends targeted, context-specific interventions. Key words: Child poverty, Ghana, Techiman, economic development, social protection, parental death, education access.