A renewed call for reforms in Ghana’s child protection system has emerged as the Family-Based Care Alliance urges authorities to treat street-connected children as victims in need of care rather than offenders.
Marking the International Day for Street Children, the Alliance stressed that current responses often criminalise vulnerable children instead of addressing the root causes that push them onto the streets, such as poverty, abuse, and neglect.
This year’s observance, themed “Access to Justice: Protect, Not Punish,” has brought attention to gaps in Ghana’s justice and welfare systems, particularly in urban centres like Accra, where tens of thousands of children are estimated to live without stable shelter or support.
According to the group, many of these children face daily exposure to violence, exploitation, and limited access to education and healthcare—conditions that perpetuate cycles of marginalisation. Despite the existence of legal frameworks such as the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560) and the work of institutions like the Department of Social Welfare, implementation challenges continue to leave many children unprotected.
The Alliance acknowledged support from partners including UNICEF but noted that systemic gaps still result in stigma, harassment, and exclusion for children living on the streets.
Rather than punitive measures, the group is advocating stronger investment in rehabilitation and reintegration programmes, alongside expanded family-based care systems to provide stable and nurturing environments for affected children.
It also called on law enforcement agencies to adopt child-sensitive approaches that respect children’s rights, while urging communities to shift perceptions and respond with empathy.
The appeal highlights a broader push for a justice system that prioritises protection and long-term solutions, reinforcing the message that every child deserves dignity, care, and a fair chance at the future.
