It will serve as a blueprint for the restructuring of existing programmes which had been used in the past but had not achieved the desired results. The launch also demonstrates the ministry’s commitment to provide access to care, resources and opportunities for children.

The event was attended by representatives from the Catholic Relief Services, UNICEF, US Agency for International Development (USAID), traditional leaders, some street children and non-governmental organisations, among others.

Significance

The sector Minister, Dakoa Newman, said at the launch in Accra last Friday that at the heart of the plan was the expectation that street-connected children and young persons would enjoy the same rights as any child in the country, free from discrimination, have a sense of belonging, respect, love, acceptance and understanding of their responsibilities.

“Furthermore, the strategic plan emphasises the importance of enhanced inter-sectorial collaboration and implementation, underscoring the need for families to take responsibility for their children and promoting and strengthening family relationships,” she said.

The minister express gratitude to the Catholic Relief Services for their financial support and to the consortium for Street-connected Children for their invaluable technical assistance in developing the strategic plan.

Ms Dakoa, however, appealed for more support, saying “let us view ourselves as key partners and collaborators working together to contribute meaningfully to the development of our country”.

Milestone

The National Director, Department of Social Welfare, Dr Comfort Asare, said that the project marked a significant milestone in their collective journey to ensure the well-being, safety and empowerment of vulnerable children and young persons connected to the street in diverse ways.

“The strategic plan aims to unlock this in a supportive environment that allows them to thrive and participate in the development processes of our dear country. “Together we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of these vulnerable children and youth to have a brighter future for generations to come,” she said.

Background

A survey in 2011 conducted by the Department of Social Welfare in the Greater Accra Region identified approximately 61,492 individuals under 18 years old engaged in street work. In 2015, the ministry launched two initiatives — Operation Go Back to School, and Operation Get Off the Streets for a Better Life in 2017.

During limited spot checks in 2017, a total of 4,853 street persons were identified.

And in April 2021, the Ministry of National Security also identified 94 hotspots across 29 metropolitan municipal and district assemblies. The government subsequently established an inter-ministerial and technical committee, comprised of relevant ministries tasked with developing a comprehensive plan to address the multifaceted challenges faced by street-connected children and young persons on April, 2022.