There is a growing trend on the streets of this country which if not checked will become a security threat. Particularly in the capital Accra, one most of the streets, one is likely to see children as young as two (2) years old begging. Those a bit older yet within school-going ages are also engaging in menial jobs, like clearing of windscreens of vehicles stuck in traffic for a meager fee.
Most of these kids are engaging in this social vice as a result of neglect on the part of their caregivers to provide for them. This phenomenon results in physical, emotional, psychological, or even educational harm to the young one. Factors like poverty, broken homes, family conflicts, peer pressure, exploitations, stigma, kidnap, and abuses are the propellers that create the leading factor, Trauma, in the lives of these children.
It is the trauma from those unexpected happenings that lead children is finally moving to live on the street.
Although Ghana is a signee to the SDGs, successive governments have failed or made fewer efforts in trying to eradicate this menace. Our failure to check this issue invalidates our affirmation in these sustainable development goals especially 1,3 & 4.
Now is the time to raise and give meaning to what we have signed on to as a nation. Concrete policies must be put in place to help deal with this situation. Remember a stitch in time saves Thine. Let’s not wait till it gets out of hand before taking the necessary steps.
YENHOHIA! WE MATTER TOO
#Let’sTalkAboutThem #YENHOHIA #TheStreetMatters #RepresentationIsTheWay
