The Phenomenon of Children Beggars on The Streets of Accra

ABSTRACT

The phenomenon of children living on the street has become frequent worldwide and is of immense social concern. Street children devise varied survival strategies to cope with the hardships they encounter in their daily lives. This study investigates a particular group of street children in Accra, which is child street beggars. Using the qualitative research approach, the study uses interviews, observation, drawings and focus group discussions to interrogate the lifestyle and examine the aspirations of child street beggars. It specifically identifies the familial background of children street beggars and their relationship with their families and also examines the reason why children choose to beg on the streets. Cases of five boys, being the primary participants, and their families were studied over a period of four months. The boys were between the ages of 11 and 15 were recruited at three busy street interchanges in Accra, and followed up to their families in their respective homes. The study revealed that, children come from both female-headed and male-headed households. Among the causal factors for child street begging, peer influence emerged as the most influential causal factor. Children street beggars who participated in this study were not breadwinners to their families. As such, they were not forced into begging by any adult family member and kept every money they make on the streets. The dreams and aspirations of the children include having families they can take care of and having lucrative jobs to become rich.