The increase in the number of child beggars on the streets of Freetown lately has become an issue of serious concern which needs to be addressed by authorities.
Investigations have it that most of these children, normally escorting their parents or guardians to beg on the streets, are being denied access to education, despite several efforts by the government to provide free quality education.
It has been noticed that families engaged in begging activities have prioritised their economic survival over their children’s education, endangering the future of these young ones.
Under Section 27(1) of the Child and Young Persons Act of 1945, any administrative officer, police officer above the rank of Sub Inspector or authorised person may bring before a juvenile court any child or young person who is found begging or receiving alms (whether or not there is any pretense of singing, performing, offering anything for sale or otherwise), or being in any street, premises or place for the purpose of so begging or receiving alms.
However the child will not be held liable; rather, the adult responsible for their situation may be held liable. Note that under Section 70 of the Child Rights Act of 2007, in any judicial proceeding in Sierra Leone, a child shall not be held to be criminally responsible for his actions if he is below the age of fourteen years.
Section 60(1)(g) of the Child Rights Act of 2007 provides that a child is in need of care and protection if a child is found begging or receiving alms, or accompanying someone who is begging or receiving alms. If a child is found legally in need of care and protection, the district council shall direct a social welfare officer and police to enter and search the premises where the child lives, and grant them the power to remove the child and bring the child before a Family Court (Sections 62(1), (3), and (4)).
The same law prohibits employment of any kind for children under the age of 13, and prohibits hazardous work for any child under the age of 18 (Sections 127(1) and 128(1)). Hazardous work is defined by law as work that poses a danger to the health, safety or morals of a person, which could include begging (Section 128(2)). These employment restrictions may contribute to increased child begging, as law prevents or restricts those under 18 from employment.
Any person found responsible for the employment of child beggars could be prosecuted under the Child Rights Act, Section 133(1).
With all these laws in the country’s books, little or nothing is seen being made to implement them, as the number of children flooding the street to beg is growing day by day.
