[cmsmasters_row data_width=”boxed” data_padding_left=”3″ data_padding_right=”3″ data_top_style=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_color=”default” data_bg_position=”top center” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_parallax_ratio=”0.5″ data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”50″ data_padding_top_large=”0″ data_padding_bottom_large=”0″ data_padding_top_laptop=”0″ data_padding_bottom_laptop=”0″ data_padding_top_tablet=”0″ data_padding_bottom_tablet=”0″ data_padding_top_mobile_h=”0″ data_padding_bottom_mobile_h=”0″ data_padding_top_mobile_v=”0″ data_padding_bottom_mobile_v=”0″ data_shortcode_id=”6fsd091kb”][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/1″ data_bg_position=”top center” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_size=”cover” data_border_style=”default” data_animation_delay=”0″ data_shortcode_id=”u6gbozgb4s”][cmsmasters_image shortcode_id=”j6fwq6pupb” align=”center” animation_delay=”0″]16363|https://crighana.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/kids-wearing-blue-shirt-1686463-1024×683.jpg|large[/cmsmasters_image][/cmsmasters_column][/cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_row data_width=”boxed” data_padding_left=”3″ data_padding_right=”3″ data_top_style=”default” data_bot_style=”default” data_color=”default” data_bg_position=”top center” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_size=”cover” data_bg_parallax_ratio=”0.5″ data_padding_top=”0″ data_padding_bottom=”50″ data_padding_top_large=”0″ data_padding_bottom_large=”0″ data_padding_top_laptop=”0″ data_padding_bottom_laptop=”0″ data_padding_top_tablet=”0″ data_padding_bottom_tablet=”0″ data_padding_top_mobile_h=”0″ data_padding_bottom_mobile_h=”0″ data_padding_top_mobile_v=”0″ data_padding_bottom_mobile_v=”0″ data_shortcode_id=”jsbbz81gjy”][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/1″ data_bg_position=”top center” data_bg_repeat=”no-repeat” data_bg_attachment=”scroll” data_bg_size=”cover” data_border_style=”default” data_animation_delay=”0″ data_shortcode_id=”yu7rj0w6nj”][cmsmasters_text shortcode_id=”iii16p22pl” animation_delay=”0″]
Streetism has gradually become one of the most widespread child protection issue (social protection) in cities across the country such as Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale. An observation undertaken by Child Rights International at bus stops within the central parts of the Greater Accra region revealed that on average there are 2 to 7 children at every traffic light either begging for alms, assisting the elderly or disabled to beg for alms or engaged in some form of trading or service during school hours.
The phenomenon where children of school going age are found roaming the streets during school hours continues to increase at a steady rate thereby drawing attention to the increasing number of children who are unable to access their rights to education, safety, quality healthcare among others. It quite alarming to watch these children run around with no caution, at the risk of being knocked down by moving vehicles. A night drive through Accra reveals how these children, after a tough day of seeking to make ends meet, sleep on street pavements, in front of stores or anywhere they deem safe, at the mercy of mosquitoes and sexual predators. These children also stand the risk of being recruited into dangerous vices such as armed robbery and prostitution among others. Sadly, this prevalence in streetism is being normalized by communities and parents thus causing more children to troop onto the streets.
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In an interview with some of these kids, they disclosed that, they were engaged in such acts due to the need to feed themselves because of their parents’ inability to fulfill this role, to gather funds for their education or just following their parents’ instruction to beg for money. It was also discovered that, most of these children comprise of migrants from rural areas who move to the city with their parents in search of financial sustainability or greener pastures. These children are either found selling, begging for money or assisting physically challenged persons. Despite basic education being free, some these children miss school or dropout because they have no uniforms or can’t affords books or basic learning materials.
It is important for measures to be put in place to ensure that children are not deprived a happy childhood. If children are to develop their potentials to the fullest, then it is important that they are cared for, have good health, access to basic needs and the right to grow up in a safe and protected environment.
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With the high rate of streetism in Ghana, it is important for all concerned ministries such as the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the ministry of Interior and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ministry of education among others put efforts together to address the menace. We recommend that the appropriate ministries take action to return non –Ghanaian children that beg on the streets back to their countries of origin. This can be done by engaging the embassies to facilitate their safe repartition. Ghana may also decide to recognize them under Ghana’s social safety net in order to access rights as any Ghanaian child within our social protection system. With regards to Ghanaian children, the ministry must embark on a social enquiry to identify the location of these children for the purpose of integration and rehabilitation.
We ask that the government, and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to rise to this call and strengthen the social support systems in order to get these children off the streets and reintegrated into families. We request the Ministry of Education to investigate and resolve the additional costs imposed on children in spite of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education as this is a major issue that drives children out of the classrooms and into the streets. It is important to note that the large number of children on the streets will undermine the purpose of the free SHS which is meant to get as many children as possible educated up to the senior high school level.
Child Rights International entreats the public to return to the communal system of child raising where caring for children is a communal responsibility and not just the responsibility of the child’s parents. We trust that by this means, some of the problems that push children onto the streets can be addressed and children can be safeguarded from the social problems that hinder their well-being. Child Rights International is alarmed by the increasing number of children on the streets and calls on all concerned institutions to act with urgency in order to curb the rise in streetism.
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