Hundreds of foreign and local Street Hawkers and Child beggars have taken over the streets of Ghana. “It is disturbing that some parents pushed their children to beg for alms on the street. The sad aspect is that many of these innocent children are born and raised on the street, and we must take decisive action to reverse the trend,” she stated.
According to the Chief Executive Officer of Beyond Blessed Foundation, Maame Kyerewaa, aged between five to Ten years, the majority of these kids who are mainly from Ghana, Niger, and Burkina, chase passersby motorists and beg earnestly for money instead of being in schools. Those children are the future leaders of this country, so we must provide or create some skills and equip them with certain innovations to improve their lifes.
The C.E.O, Maame Kyerewaa posited that, Per United Nations reports, over 4,000 children are living on the street of Ghana. ‘Speaking at the Foundation Launch, _( Beyond Blessed Foundation )_ aim to support street children and orphans in the country.
She called on the President John Dramani Mahama and Prof Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang first female vice president of Ghana, Gender and social protection minister and Social Welfare to put measures in place to fight streetism canker in the country.
The effects of streetism on Ghanaians and others are far-reaching. Economic Consequences: Streetism perpetuates poverty, as children are forced to spend their days begging instead of acquiring skills and education. This limits their future economic prospects and perpetuates the cycle of poverty.
Social Consequences: Street children are often stigmatized and marginalized, leading to social isolation and low self-esteem. They are also vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, and violence. Furthermore, streetism undermines the social fabric of communities, as children are forced to fend for themselves instead of receiving care and support from their families and communities.
Health Consequences: Street children are exposed to numerous health risks, including malnutrition, diseases, and poor sanitation. They are also vulnerable to substance abuse and mental health problems. The physical and emotional toll of living on the streets can have long-term consequences for their health and well-being.
Educational Consequences: Streetism deprives children of their right to education, which is essential for their cognitive, emotional, and social development. Without education, these children are denied the opportunity to acquire skills, knowledge, and values that are necessary for their future success.
Psychological Consequences: Living on the streets can have severe psychological consequences for children, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The trauma and stress of living on the streets can also affect their emotional and social development.
To address the issue of streetism, it is essential to provide support services, including education, healthcare, and counseling, to street children. The government, NGOs, and other stakeholders must work together to create programs and policies that address the root causes of streetism and provide alternatives to street life. By doing so, we can help these children regain their childhood and build a brighter future for themselves.
(C.E.O) MAAME KYEREWAA 0549801634 0244942272 0201366876
