The first rays of dawn stretch across the Eastern Region, spilling golden light into the small, weathered home of Grandma Angelina.
At 65, she moves like a whisper through the rooms, careful not to wake the three grandchildren who now depend entirely upon her.
Their parents are gone, taken too soon, and in an instant, Angelina became both mother and grandmother.
The air smells of fresh firewood and breakfast cooking on the small stove, but beneath the routine, there is a quiet weight she carries: the responsibility of raising young lives that were never meant to grow up without their parents.
Her mornings are a blur of tasks. She fetches water from the nearby borehole, tends her small garden, cooks breakfast, and packs school bags. By the time the neighbourhood wakes, she has already lived a full day. Yet, amid the exhaustion, her heart swells with love. “They are my heart,” she says softly, brushing a strand of hair from her granddaughter’s face. “I may be old, but I cannot let them feel alone.”
Angelina’s story is one shared by thousands across Ghana. When tragedy strikes, grandparents step in to raise children orphaned by illness, accidents, or other misfortunes. For them, it is not just about providing food and shelter; it is about offering hugs that heal, stories that comfort, and reassurance that the world is still a safe place.
The challenges are immense. Many grandparents live on small pensions or farm incomes, stretching every cedi to cover school fees, medical bills, and daily necessities.
In rural areas, some walk miles just to fetch water or borrow from neighbours to make ends meet. Yet, despite these hardships, moments of joy shine through. Experts stress that grandparents provide stability and emotional security crucial for children who have faced loss. Still, they warn that caregivers cannot do it alone. Financial support, counselling, and community programmes are essential to prevent burnout and sustain the care they provide.
As the day fades and the children’s laughter fills the yard, Angelina sits quietly on her porch, a mixture of pride and fatigue in her eyes. “They are my world now,” she whispers. “If I can give them even a fraction of the love their parents had, every struggle is worth it.”
To all grandparents who have stepped up, becoming both parent and grandparent overnight, facing challenges they never imagined, your quiet strength, endless love, and unwavering care do not go unnoticed. You are the heartbeats keeping families together, and your courage deserves to be celebrated.
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