The Department of Social Welfare of the Kpone Katamanso Municipal Assembly (KKMA) has educated disabled parents on the risks associated with using children to solicit alms on the streets.
The sensitisation took place during the disbursement of items and money to people living with disabilities from the disability common fund at the Kpone-Katamanso Municipal Assembly Hall.
Ms Evelyn Abango, an official of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development, strongly cautioned against involving children in street begging, explaining that such practices not only violate the rights of the child but also expose them to serious dangers, including sexual abuse, exploitation, and psychological trauma.
Ms Abango said many children who were used to beg on behalf of their parents faced a higher risk of being defiled, molested, or lured into criminal activities and stressed that while poverty and disability present real challenges, parents must not put the safety and dignity of their children at risk in the quest to survive.
She emphasised that children rightfully deserve to be in school, where they could access quality education and essential social development, and at home, where they could receive proper care, emotional support, and protection.
Ms Abango said the presence of children on the streets, whether because of neglect or poverty, does not only deprive the children of these basic rights but also exposes them to numerous forms of harm.
She appealed to parents to be very patient with their children, especially during their adolescent stage, and encouraged them to build strong relationships with them, take an interest in their emotional well-being, and provide proper guidance as they grow.
She explained that most children behave like they know everything and do not listen to advice and pleaded with the parents to make time to understand their needs, especially during their teenage years when they face a lot of pressure and confusion.