The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Madam Lariba Zuweira Abudu is admonishing Ghanaians to desist from giving money to street children to discourage them from the activity.
She says that these street children come from neighbouring countries which she believes is a business venture for some people who keep bringing them to beg for alms.
Speaking on Skyy Power 93.5FM’s Jolly Breakfast Show, the Minister indicated that the canker is taking a toll on the image of the country but certain procedures need to be followed to get the problem solved.
She said the problem of street children flocking to every part of the country is not the sole responsibility of her ministry but other ministries as well.
The Minister said before these children are sent back to their countries, there are ECOWAS protocols that need to be followed as she is doing her best to deport them to their various countries.
“The street children problem is not solely on Gender, it cuts across so many ministries… We recently held an interministerial meeting where Gender was part of, Local Government was part, Immigration, Foreign Affairs and we came to a conclusion to speak to the various embassies these people are coming from.”
“Any child who is six years and above must be in school, there is no reason for them to be on the street begging for alms and why should you also give them money?”
“If you stop giving them money, they will stop coming on the streets to beg.”
Madam Lariba Zuweira Abudu also suggested a law to prevent street children from begging on the streets.
“We are looking forward to implementing a law that will prevent individuals from putting children on the streets to beg for alms.”
The Gender Minister is currently on a monitoring tour in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolis to acquaint herself with the government’s school feeding program and to meet all the stakeholders involved.
