In a significant move to address the growing issue of streetism in Accra, the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), in collaboration with other agencies, has initiated a comprehensive operation targeting street children and their guardians in the Abossey Okai area.
This operation aims to identify, document, and provide assistance to vulnerable children, many of whom are believed to be migrants from neighboring West African countries.
According to a 2021 study, over 61,000 children under the age of 18 live on the streets of Accra alone.
The GIS has emphasized the need for an inter-agency approach to effectively tackle this issue, calling on all relevant stakeholders to contribute to resolving the problem.
The operation in Abossey Okai is part of a broader strategy to address the influx of child beggars in the Greater Accra Region.
Many of these children are believed to have migrated from neighboring countries such as Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, seeking refuge from conflict and economic hardship.
However, the initiative faces significant challenges. The Department of Social Welfare (DSW) has highlighted a lack of resources and facilities to accommodate and care for the children removed from the streets.
Currently, there is only one state-operated home for homeless children at Madina Social Welfare, which is insufficient to meet the demand.
Moreover, the operation has raised concerns about the potential for human trafficking. Investigations have uncovered a complex network where young girls from countries like Nigeria, Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso are lured into Ghana and sold into prostitution in Europe after being hidden in secret locations, including areas in Abossey Okai.
The GIS has called for a coordinated effort among various agencies to provide shelter and support for these vulnerable children.
Superintendent Amoako Atta, Public Relations Officer at the GIS, emphasized the importance of providing shelter and finding ways to keep these children within a safe jurisdiction.
As the operation continues, authorities are urging the public to support efforts to remove children from the streets and provide them with the necessary care and protection.
The success of this initiative will depend on the collaboration between government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the community at large.
By: J.W Quarm
