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In Ghana, the issue of street children has become a glaring reality, staring at us in the face every day. It is estimated that over 90,000 children are living and working on the streets of Ghana. These are not just numbers; these are children with aspirations, hopes, and dreams—dreams that are dying every day on the streets.
The streets of Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, and other major cities are flooded with children who have been left to fend for themselves. They roam from one traffic light to another, knocking on car windows, begging for alms, or engaging in menial jobs just to survive. Many of them are as young as 11 years old, burdened with responsibilities far beyond their years. Some of these children are not only fending for themselves but are also providing for their families, who see them as an additional source of income.
Streetism is not just an economic issue; it is a social one. It is the result of the collective failure of society and the state to protect and provide for its most vulnerable members. Many factors contribute to this growing problem—poverty, family breakdown, lack of access to education, child neglect, and weak state institutions, among others. While these causes are numerous, the purpose of this article is not to dwell on them. Rather, it is to provoke thought and action.
One of the most troubling aspects of our society’s reaction to street children is the stigma and discrimination they face daily. These children are often perceived as miscreants, criminals, and nuisances. They are scorned, insulted, and in some cases, physically abused. But we must ask ourselves: are these children inherently criminals? Are they born delinquents? Or are they simply victims of a broken system? The answer is clear—they are victims of systemic failure, a failure that we all share responsibility for.
It is easy to judge a child on the street without considering their story. How did they get there? What circumstances forced them into such a life? Many of these children come from homes where poverty and abuse are rampant. Some have been abandoned by their families, while others have fled due to violence and neglect. If society were to provide them with opportunities, if the state were to uphold its duty of care, would they still be on the streets?
The state and society must take collective responsibility for these children. There needs to be a concerted effort to integrate them back into society through proper social intervention programs. Family reunification, access to education, vocational training, and mental health support should be prioritized. The government must strengthen institutions responsible for child welfare and ensure that policies meant to address child homelessness are effectively implemented. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and civil society must also step in, providing immediate support and advocating for long-term solutions.
But beyond government policies and NGO interventions, we, as individuals, have a role to play. The next time you see a child on the street, before rushing to conclusions, pause and reflect. Think about their dreams, their untapped potential, and the moral obligations we have towards them. Instead of seeing them as a problem, see them as a symptom of a larger crisis that requires urgent attention.
Streetism is not just about children on the streets—it is about the kind of society we have become. It is about the values we uphold and the compassion we show to the most vulnerable among us. If we turn a blind eye to these children today, we risk raising a generation of embittered youth who feel abandoned and betrayed by society. The consequences of such neglect will not only affect them but will reverberate throughout our communities, threatening the very fabric of our nation.
It is time for action. We must come together as a society to address the issue of street children, not just through empty rhetoric but through tangible efforts. The fight against streetism is a fight for the future of Ghana. We can not afford to fail.