24% of the Street Children in Accra Ghana are Between 6 - 10 Years of Age

Top three questions I am asked about Street Children in Accra, Ghana:

During presentations about our work with Street Girls Aid, I am asked many questions about the realities that exist for children living, working and sleeping on the streets of Accra. Here are the three of the most frequently asked questions:

What is a “Street Child?

A Street Child is “One who is under 18 years, is born on the street and lives with parent (s) on the street; migrated to the streets; or is an urban poor child or street mother who survives working in the street*.”

How many Street Children live on the streets of Accra?

The Census on Street Children in Greater Accra discovered 61,492 children living, working and sleeping on the street.

What are the ages of the Street Children living on the streets of Accra, Ghana?

During the census, the following information was collected:

           

            1%       Less than one year of age

            18%     1 – 5 years of age

            24%     6 – 10 years of age

            37%     11 – 15 years of age and

            20%     16 – 18 years of age.

The next update will address other frequently asked questions such as: Where do the children come from? What is the gender breakdown? And, why do children live on the streets?

The stories of the children who have survived and become contributing members of their communities have a lot to teach all of us. Theirs are stories of perseverance, hard work and interventions by organizations like Street Girls Aid which has been serving street children – impacting generations for 20 years.

Back “Stories From The Streets” so that we can share the lessons learned with the global community:  http://kck.st/1It8o36

*“Census on Street Children in Greater Accra, Ghana” (2011)