A research conducted by the Catholic Action for Street Children (CAS) shows that 86 percent of children leave their homes because of family problems.
It mentioned divorce, parents living apart, too many children in a family, domestic violence and sexual harassment as some of the causes.
Contrary to expectation, “CAS has not met many children who are orphans or have been sold by their parents” the research findings revealed.
It said, though some of the street children were school drop-outs, there were many who had not been to school at all.
The findings indicated that the children need special education and because of their peculiar circumstances, they do not fit into the present educational system.
CAS has come into contact with what it calls “second generation of street children” being the children, born by the street children themselves.
These children, says the findings published in the latest issue of CAS’ Newsletter titled Who are Street Children? Where do They Come from? had never learnt to obey.
Unfortunately, these children come into contact with crime, abuse, prostitution and drug addiction at very tender ages.
To avoid more children pouring into the street, the findings suggested the establishment of parents counselling groups to educate families on how to train children.
Children who have already migrated to towns and cities should be trained in employable skills, while those with the aptitude for formal education should be offered places in school.
It noted that, street children being Ghanaians have the right to good education, food and gainful employment.
As part of the research, CAS undertook an exercise dubbed “Re-Mapping the city,” aimed at establishing the environment the street children live and work.
The exercise took them to Agbogbloshie and Konkonba market areas, Ashaiman, Kwame Nkrumah Circle, Kaneshie, Madina, Odorkor, Nima and Mamobi.
The report was signed by Brother Jos van Dinther, Director of the Catholic Action for Street Children.
Write-up by Steve Kakrabah-Quarshie
More News...
|
