Are your measures preventing child hawking? -Hon. Frank Afriyie quizzes Gender Minister

The Member of Parliament for Afadjato South, Hon. Frank Afriyie, has questioned the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection regarding the efficacy of current state interventions aimed at curbing child streetism. Posing the critical question, "Are your measures preventing child hawking during a parliamentary briefing, the lawmaker demanded a comprehensive evaluation of existing social safety nets and child protection policies that are supposed to keep vulnerable children off the streets and in classrooms.

During the parliamentary session, Hon. Frank Afriyie expressed deep concern over the persistent and visible rise of minors trading along major highways and urban intersections. The MP emphasized that the continued presence of young hawkers during school hours exposes severe implementation gaps that the sector ministry must urgently address.

In response, the Gender Minister Hon. Naa Momo Lartey typically outlined its ongoing strategies, which include public sensitization campaigns, collaboration with local government authorities, and targeted enforcement of the Children's Act. However, lawmakers and social commentators alike continue to advocate for more robust monitoring systems. Critics argue that without addressing the root cause of the issue, widespread household poverty and lack of strict parental accountability, rhetorical policies will do little to alter the daily reality of these children.

Ultimately, Hon. Frank Afriyie’s timely intervention highlights a pressing national challenge that requires more than seasonal sweeping exercises by law enforcement. Protecting the future of Ghana's youth demands sustained financial commitment, better inter-agency collaboration, and a renewed political will to enforce child labor laws across every district. The parliamentary probe serves as a crucial reminder that the true measure of any social policy lies in its tangible impact on the most vulnerable members of society.