By Darroll Allan Tagoe
In the global fight against child labour, Ghana’s struggle with the issue reflects a troubling disconnect between law and enforcement. Despite the criminalization of child labour worldwide, loopholes in defining and enforcing these laws have allowed some in Ghana to exploit children with little fear of consequence.
On a rainy, gloomy morning in Accra, the city’s intersections tell a disturbing story. Groups of children, some barefoot and others in tattered clothes, are seen loitering on the streets—not waiting to cross or meet their parents, but instead, engaged in the dangerous and demeaning practice of begging. These children, whose presence on the streets has become a constant reminder of the failure to combat child labour, are caught in a cycle of exploitation that many seem powerless to break.
Child streetism is a phenomenon that should be intolerable in any society, yet in Ghana, it persists. Unscrupulous individuals exploit these children, encouraging them to beg or using them as pawns to solicit donations from passersby. For some, the exploitation is even more insidious, involving a combination of begging and hawking to disguise the reality of their plight. These practices raise fundamental questions about the values of Ghanaian society: Is child street begging a desperate struggle for survival, or is it a blatant form of abuse?
Child rights advocates have long argued that these children are victims of abuse and exploitation. However, their calls for action seem to have fallen on deaf ears. The continued presence of these children on the streets exposes significant weaknesses within the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, as well as the Department of Social Welfare. These institutions have failed to provide the necessary protection for vulnerable children, allowing the exploitation to continue unchecked.
In Accra, the Ring Road—both Central, East, and West—has become notorious for the daily sight of child beggars. Whether they are openly asking for money or covertly selling disposable items, the illegality of their situation is undeniable. It is a violation of both local and national laws in Ghana to beg on the streets, yet the practice continues unabated.
Ghana’s commitment to international agreements, such as the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child and the abolition of child labor, seems increasingly hollow in light of these realities. The time has come for the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to take decisive action. It is imperative that they justify their budgetary allocations by addressing this issue head-on.
Moreover, the Ghana Police Service, Immigration Service, NGOs, and local authorities all share a duty of care for these children. Many of these young beggars are not even Ghanaian citizens but have migrated from neighboring West African countries, possibly under the protection of sub-regional treaty rights. While these adults may have legal status, the children’s presence on the streets demands immediate intervention. These children should be placed in schools or, where necessary, arrangements should be made for their return when their treaty rights expire.
Ghana must take bold steps to protect these children and enforce the laws that are meant to safeguard them. Failing to do so not only undermines Ghana’s standing with international bodies like UNICEF but also makes a mockery of the nation’s commitment to ending child labor. The time for action is now, and the responsibility lies with all of us to ensure that these children are given the protection and opportunities they deserve.
