The Plight Of Young Kids Begging On The Streets Of Kumasi – A Call For Justice
A disturbing reality confronts anyone who passes through Kumasi’s streets, particularly at Suame Roundabout, Krofrom, and its environs—young children, some barely five years old, roaming the streets in search of alms. These are not isolated cases; they are part of a growing phenomenon where children, instead of being in school or under proper care, are exposed to harsh conditions, begging for survival.
Beyond the obvious neglect and suffering, these children are exposed to road traffic accidents, weaving dangerously between moving vehicles. Their presence on the streets does not only put their lives at risk but also places unsuspecting innocent drivers in situations they did not bargain for. A sudden dash across the road by a child could lead to a tragic accident, leaving a driver to deal with guilt and legal consequences for an unfortunate event they had no control over.
This situation raises several critical questions. Where are the human and child rights organizations? Why are they silent on this issue? Their voices are often loud when adults face brutalities or when individuals seek redress for injustices, but what about these innocent children? Does the role of human and child rights groups only extend to documented cases brought before them, or does it encompass proactively addressing the silent sufferings of vulnerable groups?
These children are victims of a gross human rights violation. Their basic rights to education, shelter, and protection are being trampled upon while society looks on. It is unacceptable that in a time when child rights advocacy is at its peak globally, Kumasi’s streets continue to witness this menace without any tangible interventions.
An Invitation to Human Rights Groups
It is time for human and child rights groups, NGOs, and social protection agencies to visit Suame Roundabout, Krofrom, and surrounding areas to see the reality for themselves. These children need more than sympathy; they need justice. Their presence on the streets is not by choice but by circumstance—one that demands urgent intervention.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has protocols on child protection, human trafficking, and the rights of vulnerable persons. Where do these protocols stand on the issue of child street begging? Are they merely decorative policies sitting in legal frameworks without real-life enforcement? If ECOWAS truly upholds the rights of children, why is this problem still prevalent in one of Ghana’s largest cities?
This is not just a social issue but a crime against children. Government agencies, social welfare, child rights activists, and law enforcement must act. We cannot allow this to become normalized. The silence must end, and justice must prevail for these children, whose only crime is being born into unfortunate circumstances.
THE WHISTLE BLOWER
