Accra: Mr Bright Appiah, the Executive Director of Child Rights International, has called on the Government to adhere to appropriate protocols and procedures in addressing the situation of street children, most of whom are foreign nationals. He emphasized that this is part of the State’s obligations under social protection, which should not be overlooked in the ongoing repatriation efforts.

According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Appiah raised concerns at a news conference regarding the methods used by the Ghana Immigration Service during recent operations to evacuate beggars from key hotspots in Accra, including Kaneshie, Abossey Okai, and Kwame Nkrumah Circle. He highlighted that many of these individuals had entered Ghana through the northern sector and Aflao in the Volta Region, quickly integrating into informal networks that facilitated street begging.

Mr Appiah explained that these children find accommodation and are transported to various traffic lights to beg, returning to their organizers at the end of the day. He stressed that whether the children were in Ghana by choice or coercion, the State has a duty to provide them with appropriate accommodation and care, in line with national and international child protection laws.

He noted that similar repatriation efforts were made in 2022, but he emphasized the need to focus on the children, who make up nearly 60 percent of those rescued from the streets. Citing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and Ghana’s Children’s Act, Mr Appiah called for due diligence and humane treatment during such operations.

Mr Appiah questioned the capacity of the Ghana Immigration Service to manage child protection responsibilities, suggesting that institutions like the Department of Social Welfare should lead these efforts. He called for the collection of biodata, thorough needs assessments, and detailed documentation on the rescued individuals, particularly the children, to ensure targeted and effective interventions.

He urged the state to prioritize the best interests of the child, regardless of nationality, and engage in bilateral discussions with the countries of origin to develop sustainable and respectful solutions. Mr Appiah also noted that the Government must review its current approach to avoid potential legal challenges from affected individuals or human rights organizations in the future.