Ghanaians urged to discourage street begging

Accra, Feb. 24, GNA - An official from the Ministry of the Interior, Mr. Nuhu Mahama, has suggested that instead of dashing out monies to the beggars on the streets, people should assist the Department of Social Welfare to provide the beggars with training which would earn them an income for their personal welfare. Mr. Mahama made the suggestion in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra.

He expressed worry over the health hazards to which the beggars expose themselves in the scorching sun and down pours. He stressed that the activities of some of the disabled beggars portrayed that begging for money in streets is the only means by which they could earn a living.

Mr. Mahama cited many disabled persons who had learnt various trades and were contributing their quota to the development of the national economy, adding that disability is never inability. He further suspected that some of the beggars feigned to be disabled, saying that is an insult to the physically challenged ones, pointing out that the large number of beggars who move round vehicles on the streets, especially at traffic light zones was a dangerous and they could be easily knocked down by vehicles.

He also appealed to the beggars not to be interested in what they would get through begging but they should consider their situation as a challenge and strive to learn acceptable trades. 24 Feb. 05