The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has outlined measures being implemented by the government to address the growing incidence of child hawking and the increasing number of children living on the streets.

Responding to questions in Parliament, Dr Lartey, who is also the Member of Parliament for Krowor, expressed concern over the situation and reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting vulnerable children.

“As the lead coordinating institution for the welfare of children in Ghana, my Ministry is very concerned about this issue,” she told the House.

The minister reminded Parliament that Section 16(1) of the Children's Act, 1998, places responsibility on Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to take all necessary steps to remove children from street situations and ensure their protection and welfare.

Dr Lartey disclosed that the ministry is working closely with MMDAs, the Department of Social Welfare, the Ghana Police Service, civil society organisations and development partners to identify, rescue, rehabilitate and reintegrate vulnerable children found on the streets.

She said efforts were also being directed at addressing the underlying causes of the problem through strengthened poverty alleviation programmes, including the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) initiative and the Ghana School Feeding Programme.

According to the minister, these interventions are intended to reduce household vulnerability, which often compels children to engage in street hawking and other forms of child labour.

Dr Lartey added that the government would intensify public education and awareness campaigns on child exploitation as part of broader efforts to protect the rights and welfare of children across the country.