The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), through the Department of Social Welfare and with support from the Catholic Relief Services (CRS), has launched a five-year strategic plan for street-connected children and young persons (2024-2028).
The strategic plan marks a significant milestone in the Ministry’s efforts to promote and protect the rights of street-connected children by ensuring they have access to opportunities.
Developed with input from stakeholders, the plan aims to address the multifaceted challenges faced by street-connected children and young persons through a comprehensive rehabilitation approach.
In her statement during the launch, the Minister for MoGCSP, Madam Dakoa Newman, emphasised the growing prevalence of street-connected children in several cities across Ghana. She highlighted past initiatives such as, “Operation Go Back to School” and “Operation Get Off the Streets for a Better Life,” which, despite identifying thousands of street persons, saw limited success in reintegrating children with their families and schools.
Madam Newman also noted the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial Committee on April 13, 2022, tasked with developing a comprehensive plan to tackle these challenges. She expressed gratitude to the Catholic Relief Services for its financial support and to the Consortium for Street-Connected Children for their invaluable technical assistance in developing the strategic plan.
The Director of the Department of Social Welfare, Dr Comfort Asare, described the plan as a comprehensive and collaborative effort to address the complex challenges faced by street-connected children and young persons.
On his part, Mr Wilfred Hurana, representing CRS in Ghana, stated that the strategic plan aligns with CRS’s strategic goal of ensuring all children reach their full health and development potential in safe and nurturing families.
He emphasised the plan to provide comprehensive support to street-connected children and young persons, ensuring they have access to the care, education and opportunities they need to flourish.
Mr Hurana commended stakeholders who contributed to the development of the plan and reiterated the CRS’s commitment to ensuring that no child was left behind.
The five-year strategic plan is a testament to the government’s commitment to addressing the situation of street-connected children and young persons in Ghana. It underscores the importance of enhanced inter-sectoral collaboration and the need for families to take responsibility for their children and strengthen family relationships.
Priscilla Osei-Wusu Nimako, ISD
