Ghana: Oil Revives Prostitution

By Francis Kokutse, 6 February 2012 Takoradi — Ghana's seaport of Takoradi has regained its former vibrancy in the past year since President John Atta Mills turned the wheels to mark the production of first oil. As the numbers of expat oilman increases, so does the prostitution. As an old harbor city and the western regional capital, Takoradi is remembered by older residents with much nostalgia for when it was Ghana's only port during colonial times. However these residents are also aware that the issue of prostitution is not a new phenomenon. Prostitution As James Aidoo (86), a retired port worker, observes: "Prostitution has always been around because sailors were coming here and had to enjoy themselves in town. A lot of women came here and a few of the luckier ones ended up marrying a sailor and being taken away." "But what we see today is worrying because, with all the talk about HIV and AIDS, one would expect that young people would be very careful. But that is not what is happening here," says Aidoo. "Some of the women just want to go out with the oil workers because they believe they have a lot of money."

Neighborhood gossip Some local women believe the term "prostitute" is being overused and applied to anyone who happens to be going out with an expatriate oil worker. One woman, who prefers not to be named, says: "I do not see myself as a prostitute. I have one boyfriend who comes to town to work. And because he is a European, a lot of people wrongfully assume that I am a prostitute. But we just love each other. He decided to get me a place so we can be together whenever he is in town. It's just like when any other woman falls in love with a man. But now I have been tagged by some neighbors and that's bad." continued