Gov’t to Intensify Public Education on Child Exploitation as Gender Minister Addresses Parliament Over Street Children Crisis

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has outlined government’s interventions to address the rising incidence of child hawking and street children across the country.

Responding to questions in Parliament, the Minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Krowor Constituency, expressed deep concern over the growing number of children engaged in street hawking and living on the streets.

“As the lead coordinating institution for the welfare of children in Ghana, my Ministry is very concerned about this issue,” Dr. Lartey told the House.

She reminded Parliament that under Section 16(1) of the Children’s Act, 1998, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) are mandated to take all necessary steps to remove children from street situations and ensure their protection and welfare.

The Minister disclosed that her outfit is working closely with MMDAs, the Department of Social Welfare, the Ghana Police Service, civil society organisations, and development partners to identify, rescue, rehabilitate, and reintegrate vulnerable children found on the streets.

To address the root causes, she said government is strengthening poverty alleviation programmes including the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) initiative and the Ghana School Feeding Programme, aimed at reducing household vulnerability that often pushes children into street labour.

The Ministry is also intensifying public education campaigns on the dangers of child hawking and exploitation. “We are raising awareness on the harmful effects of child labour and promoting the importance of education and child protection,” Dr. Lartey added.

The statement comes amid renewed public concern over children selling on major streets and intersections in urban centres, often during school hours and late into the night.

Child rights advocates have repeatedly called for stronger enforcement of child protection laws and better coordination among state agencies to remove children from the streets.

Hon. Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has told Parliament her Ministry is “very concerned” about rising child hawking and street children.

The Krowor MP said MMDAs are legally required under the Children’s Act, 1998 to remove children from the streets and ensure their protection.