International Day for the Street Child marked in Accra

The International Day for the Street Child has been marked in Accra with a call on the government to collaborate with the private sector to offer training to such children to enable them to fend for themselves.

The Chief Executive Officer of Freddie's Corner, dealers in mobile phones, Mr Alfred Korlie Matey, who made the call, said such a partnership was an effective measure to keep the children engaged to protect them from the dangers of the street.

He was speaking at a mentorship programme for street children in Accra as part of activities to observe the day.

The programme, which was on the theme: "Providing meaningful hope beyond the street child," was organised by Hope Training Institute, an institution that trains street children. 

Event

The day is observed worldwide on every April 12 to draw attention to the phenomenon of streetism. 

It was launched in 2011 by the Consortium for Street Children (CSC), a leading international network dedicated to realising the rights of street children worldwide, with support from its global corporate partner Aviva, to ensure that the voices of the victims are heard. It is celebrated in over 130 countries. 

Concerns

Mr Matey observed that the children were exposed to many dangers on the streets that put their lives at risk. He, therefore, indicated that if they were not engaged in useful ventures, some of them could turn into drug addicts, armed robbers and prostitutes and thus pose a threat to the society.

Experience

The chief executive recounted some of his bitter experiences as a teenager and advised the children not to give up in life, be God-fearing, optimistic and also seek wisdom from successful people.

According to him, he was the last born of his mother and sold tomatoes and fish on the streets of Accra Newtown to take care of himself and his education.

"My family was so poor they could not afford a shirt and trousers for me and I had to wear a cloth and hang it around my neck to sell my wares," Mr Matey added.

He, therefore, lauded the Hope Training Institute for their initiative and further admonished the children to take their training serious and also save whatever little money they acquired for future investment.

For his part, the Director of the institute, Mr Amos Asuma Karikari, explained that they decided to invite Mr Matey to this year’s occasion to share his experiences on the streets as a teenager to inspire the children to also aspire to greater heights.

Training

Mr Karikari said if street children were not well catered for, they would become miscreants in the society, and that it was for that reason that his outfit had established a training school to offer a two-year training in vocational skills for them.

He said each year they picked 30 children between the ages of 16-25 to train them in tie-dye making, dressmaking, masonry, creativity, engineering among others.

After training they are provided with some funds and tools to enable them to establish their own businesses.