The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Lariba Zuweira Abudu, has made an appeal to the public, particularly residents of major cities like Accra, to refrain from giving cash to child beggars as a means to reduce their numbers on the streets. Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Sunday, Ms Abudu provided an update on various programs under the ministry and highlighted the concerning increase in the population of child beggars despite government efforts to address the issue.
According to the minister, many of these child beggars are foreigners who are either trafficked into the country or coerced by their guardians to engage in this degrading activity. While the government has taken steps to repatriate around 400 foreign child beggars, it has been disheartening to witness their return to the streets within a few months.
Ms Abudu expressed her concern over the situation, stating, “We have done a lot to take them from the streets, but somehow they find themselves back…we have to stop giving money to minors on the streets because as adults, I don't see why we should be giving money to six-year-olds on the streets.”
Acknowledging the limitations of the government in repatriating all the child beggars currently on the streets, the minister urged the public to refrain from providing cash to these children.
She emphasized that if people stopped giving them money today and continued to do so in the future, the child beggars would be compelled to leave the streets and seek alternative means of support.
The minister's appeal comes as part of ongoing efforts to combat the issue of child begging in the country. By discouraging the public from providing financial assistance to child beggars, the government aims to disrupt the cycle and ultimately reduce their numbers on the streets.
However, it is important to note that long-term solutions must also address the underlying causes of child begging, such as poverty, trafficking, and exploitation.
Hon. Abudu called for collective responsibility in addressing this societal challenge and urged citizens to report cases of child begging to the appropriate authorities. She emphasized the need for comprehensive efforts involving various stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and the public, to protect the welfare and rights of vulnerable children.
As the government continues to implement strategies to address the issue of child begging, the cooperation and support of the public will play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being and future prospects of these children.
