The Silent Teachers: Grandparents Raising the Next Generation
By Kuuku
Tamale, Ghana — In a modest compound house near Kalpohin, 64-year-old Madam Akosua Yeboah is braiding her 10-year-old granddaughter’s hair while stirring a pot of light soup. It’s a rhythm she’s mastered — switching between grandmother and parent, caregiver and counselor, cook and companion.
Her daughter left for Saudi Arabia in search of better pay as a domestic worker four years ago. Since then, Akosua has become more than just “Nana.” She is now the mother figure in her grandchild’s life.
“I thought I was done raising children,” she laughs softly, “but God gave me another round.”
A Growing but Quiet Trend
Across Ghana, more and more grandparents are stepping into parental roles, often without formal recognition or support. The reasons vary:
- Migration of parents to cities or abroad for work
- Death or illness of one or both parents
- Teen pregnancies where young mothers are unable to raise children
- Divorce or abandonment in strained relationships
According to UNICEF Ghana, approximately one in five children under 15 lives in a household headed by someone over 60 — a number that has been increasing steadily over the past decade.
Love and Sacrifice
Caring for grandchildren is often seen as a duty — even a joy. But it also comes with profound challenges.
“I don’t have the energy I used to,” says 70-year-old Baba Sule in Bolgatanga, who is raising two grandsons. “But I must wake up early, get them ready for school, and walk them there myself.”
With limited pensions and rising living costs, many grandparents struggle to:
- Provide food, clothing, and school supplies
- Keep up with modern education systems and technology
- Handle medical emergencies or growing adolescent issues
Yet, they do it — with patience, love, and resilience.
The Hidden Strain
Behind the warmth of shared meals and bedtime stories lies emotional and financial strain:
- No formal financial support from the government for grandparent caregivers
- Health issues worsened by stress and physical workload
- Isolation, especially for those living in rural areas
- Grief and guilt — especially when their own children are missing, incarcerated, or deceased
“I haven’t heard from my son in two years,” says Akosua. “Sometimes, I cry at night. But I don’t want my granddaughter to see.”
Bridging the Generational Gap
One of the most delicate challenges is navigating generational differences.
Grandparents often struggle with:
- Children raised in digital, fast-paced worlds
- Questions they don’t have answers to — from puberty to social media
- Teaching discipline in a way that won’t be seen as harsh or outdated
“I grew up on cane,” Baba says. “But now they say you must explain everything.”
Community Support: Thin but Vital
Some churches and community groups have recognized the growing role of grandparents:
- Hosting support groups for grandparent caregivers
- Offering back-to-school packages for children raised by guardians
- Encouraging youth to visit or support their elders
NGOs like HelpAge Ghana also run pilot programs that provide health checkups and food parcels for elderly caregivers.
“But it’s not enough,” says social worker Selina Dadzie. “We need national policy and recognition.”
The Need for Policy
Despite their contributions, grandparent caregivers are absent from most national caregiving frameworks.
Advocates are calling for:
- Monthly cash transfers or support grants for elderly caregivers
- Inclusion in national school feeding programs and education subsidies
- Legal guardianship assistance to help grandparents access documents or social services
- Greater access to affordable healthcare for elder caregivers
“Caring for children is work,” says Selina. “And work deserves support.”
The Joys of Late-Life Parenting
Amid the hardship, many grandparents say the presence of their grandchildren keeps them going.
“They give me a reason to wake up,” says Akosua. “They keep my spirit young.”
Some say the experience brings healing — a second chance to do parenting with more wisdom and patience.
“Before, I was always working,” recalls Baba. “Now I sit and listen. I understand more.”
Final Thought
Grandparents are Ghana’s silent teachers, unsung caregivers, and the emotional glue in many families. They provide not only shelter but stability, not just food but foundational values.
In a world that often rushes past the elderly, they are quietly raising the future.
“They may forget me someday,” Akosua says with a smile, watching her granddaughter read. “But I hope they remember how loved they were.”