Female orphan caregivers in countries heavily affected by HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are often presented as a homogenous group of vulnerable 'older women' that struggles to support orphans. There is a dearth of data on the different kinds of women and how their social characteristics impact their survival strategies and caregiving responsibilities. This study examines the link between the social characteristics of queen mothers in Manya Klo in Ghana and their roles as caregivers. The research findings suggest that queen mothers have become the primary caregivers of orphans, even though they do not have the wherewithal to provide for these orphans. The lack of kin support to queen mothers exacerbates their physical and economic vulnerabilities. They engage in less dignifying economic activities and pay less attention to their own needs in order to meet their customary obligations as orphan caregivers. The growing influence of queen mothers as caregivers for orphans, however, is a reflection of some of the changes that are occurring in customary foster care arrangements. Policy makers and interventionists require in depth understanding of queen mothers and their peculiar circumstances in order to strengthen their roles as leaders and caregivers.

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In sub-Saharan Africa, more women than men live with HIV and women bear the largest proportion of the burden of care that is due to the epidemic. Only a few studies have documented the precise details of how women in countries with low HIV prevalence became the worst affected by the epidemic. In Ghana, the historical factors that account for high HIV infections among women and the emergence of women-led community-based HIV interventions have been less researched. This paper examines the historical (political-economic), cultural and personal factors that account for the high HIV prevalence in Manya Klo, the area worst impacted by HIV in Ghana. The paper presents the social history of the pandemic in Manya Klo and explains why Klo women are considered to be the sources of HIV in Ghana. It suggests that concentrating interventions on women helps to reduce the impact of HIV and inform national interventions. Women-focused interventions may, however, alienate other groups that can contribute to improving the lives of families affected by HIV. Therefore, women-focused interventions must be planned in a manner that engages multiple stakeholders.Keywords: Manya Krobo, queen mothers, female migration, female sex work, orphans and vulnerable children, community-based HIV initiatives

Ethnographic research on childcare has focused on understanding the influence of cultural contexts on childcare. The research, however, lacks discussions of a child's caregiver as a position of power, and analysis of the knowledge underpinning childcare. Consequently, much remains unknown about the adults responsible for childcare, the significance of their roles, and the values that shape their actions. This paper analyzes how the meanings embedded within the position of “child's caregiver” and the narratives around the position influence childcare practices in Manya Klo, Ghana. The findings suggest that research has overlooked the influence of power in analyses of childcare roles and identifying children's caregivers. The findings challenge the use of female household headship, direct observation of parent–child contact, provision of material goods, and fathers’ absence as bases for determining children's caregivers. The differences in the meanings of childcare concepts create different expectations for local communities and external agencies that support children.