They are the human shopping baskets in Ghana’s markets, carrying everything from tubers of yam to bags of cement. Statistics say there are over 10,000 of them in Accra alone.

Theirs is a life of pain, rape, torture and abuse of human rights, living and working in Agbogbloshie, one of Ghana’s largest food markets.

Here are the portraits of eight of Accra’s Kayaye.

Memuna Abdulai is 14 years. She comes from Tumu in the Upper West Region. She came to Accra in 2019 and has since worked as a Kayayie.

Nalaya Baduong is 17 and she hails from Wa in the Upper West Region. She came to Accra and has worked as a kayayie for five months.

Fatima Suwiah is 18-years-old. She comes from Tumu in the Upper West Region. She travelled to Accra two years ago to work as a kayaye.

Moler Mohena, 18, comes from Yaala in the Upper West Region. She has been working as a head porter in Accra for the last two years.

Safia Batong is 17 and she is from Bufiama in Wa. She relocated to Accra two years ago and has been working as a kayayie.

Isa Zeinab is from Duu in the Upper West Region. She is 17 and came to Accra three years ago to work as a kayayie.

Fauzia Baba is 18 from Duu in the Upper West Region. She relocated from her hometown to Accra 2 years ago and has been working as a kayayie since then.

Leyla Usif is also 18. She is from Kunduku in the Upper West Region, she relocated from her hometown to Accra and has been as a kayayie for two years now.