Prostitution is illegal but widespread in Ghana , [ 1 ] [ 2 ] so much so that many Ghanaians are unaware that it is prohibited. Some prostitutes in Ghana are campaigning for the sex trade to be legalised, [ 9 ] [ 12 ] and discussions have taken place.
Prostitutes in Ghana are known locally as "ashawo", [ 13 ] "toutou" derived from 'two shillings, two pence'; a prostitute who doesn't charge much [ 10 ] or "maame-i-dey". Often these are in makeshift shacks or old warehouses, and some are attached to bars. Generally they are older women or widows. Roamers tend to be younger women and work on the streets, bars and hotels.
They usually get a fee from both parties. The women face occasional violence from the customers, or more commonly refusal to pay. Hotel staff may exploit them. Since oil production started in , prostitution in the port of Takoradi has risen sharply due to the influx of oil workers. Abrakrees were "public women" or prostitutes among some Akan states of the Gold Coast between the 17th and 19th centuries.
These public women were made up of slaves and outcasts. Olfert Dapper documented on the abrakrees in the where he noted their presence in Axim and its surrounding areas. The Abrakrees operated under the Kabaseros or headmen according to Dapper.
He also documented the ceremonies carried out by the kabaseros which initiated the abrakrees into work. Although the Blacks along this coast and in the interior marry as many wives as they can maintain, it is customary in Atzijn [Axim] and all the surrounding areas, as far as the Quaqua Coast , for every village to maintain two or three whores, whom they call Abrakrees. They are initiated and confirmed for the conduct of this work by their Kabaseros or headmen in the presence of a large crowd of people, in the following manner.
