On April 12th, the International Day for Street Children sheds light on the plight of millions of children worldwide who find themselves living rough on the streets, often without access to basic rights.
With an estimated 150 million children living on the streets globally, the day serves as a platform for human rights organizations to raise awareness about this pressing issue.
In a recent interview with RGGNEWS, Dr. Angela Dwamena Aboagye of the Ark Foundation charity, shared insights into the evolving landscape of street children in Ghana.
She emphasized a noticeable shift in demographics, with an increasing presence of children from Ghanaian origin, migrating from the regions of the north to urban centers in search of opportunities.
Dr. Dwamena Aboagye highlighted the multifaceted nature of the phenomenon, encompassing both local and migrant populations.
While some children are raised on the streets by parents engaged in informal work, others, including foreign nationals, transiently occupy street spaces.
However, she underscored the inherent risks faced by street children, including exposure to weather extremes, violence, sexual exploitation, and health hazards due to lack of secure accommodation.
She believes the issue requires a tailored approach, distinguishing between Ghanaian children migrating internally and foreign nationals with their families.
Dr. Dwamena Aboagye stressed the pivotal role of government intervention, citing existing policies aimed at addressing street children.
However, she urged for tangible outcomes through effective policy implementation, emphasizing the constitutional right of every child to education.
While acknowledging parental responsibility, Dr. Dwamena Aboagye highlighted socioeconomic factors such as poverty and single parenting as underlying causes.
She advocated for comprehensive policies targeting poverty alleviation and family support, asserting that effective implementation could mitigate the incidence of street children.
Moving forward, it is essential for governments, communities, and individuals to come together in solidarity, working towards creating a world where every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive and fulfill their potential.
