The minister of gender, children, and social safety, Lariba Zuweira Abudu, has cautioned the public not to give money to child beggars anymore.
According to the minister, the number of children who beg on the streets of Accra and other major towns in the country may drop if people stopped giving them money, because children will see and understand that begging is no more profitable.
Therefore, Madam Abudu pleaded with the general public, especially city dwellers, not to give money to youngsters who are begging on the streets, as doing so can put them in harm’s way.
Ms. Abudu provided specifics on the ministry’s plans during the Sunday Minister’s Press Briefing in Accra.
She added that the ministry has done a lot to get the children off the streets, including having 400 of them returned and involving the embassies here, but they always seem to find their way back. Because of this, she said, the public should no longer give money to children living on the streets. As adults, there is no tangible reason to entrust money to a child as young as six on the streets.
She explained that the government does not have the means to bring back home the children who are currently begging on the streets, but they anre encouraging people to shun them and stop giving them money on the streets.
Ms. Abudu then stated that if we don’t give the child beggars the money today and don’t give them tomorrow, next week they will be forced to leave the streets and move away because it won’t be profitable anymore.
You won’t give them because you are parking the tax payers money for you and your family.
You think it’s easy for civilians? When you won’t be of help to the needy you don’t tell others to avoid them.