NGO Coalition Highlights Policy Gaps in NPP and NDC Manifestos on Social Protection
The Coalition of NGOs Against Streetism in Northern Ghana (CONAS) and the Street Invest Network-Northern Sector have raised serious concerns about significant policy gaps in the 2024 election manifestos of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding social protection for street-connected children and head porters (Kayayei). At a press conference in Tamale, under the Youth Engagement for Inclusive Democracy Project, implemented by the Centre for Development and Policy Advocacy (CEDEPA) in partnership with key child rights NGOs, the coalition highlighted shortcomings in both major parties’ commitments to improving the welfare of vulnerable children and Kayayei.
Policy Analysis Findings
The coalition analyzed the manifestos of the NPP and NDC, revealing the following key findings. According to coalition, the NPP’s manifesto contains 10 social protection policies targeting street children and Kayayei. “Only 30% of these policies include specific interventions or activities to achieve their stated objectives. Just 10% are aligned with the mandates of specific state institutions or agencies for effective implementation. None of the policies feature clear sustainability plans, whether financial or logistical” the Spokesperson Mr Ziblim Alhassan Bonzali noted.
NDC Manifesto
The coalition indicated that the NDC’s manifesto outlines 13 social protection policies and bout 62% include specific interventions or activities to achieve the objectives. “Only 23% are aligned with the mandates of state institutions or agencies. Like the NPP manifesto, none of the policies has a clear sustainability plan” he stated.
Data and Concerns
According to the coalition, the Department of Social Welfare estimates that approximately 90,000 children live on the streets in Accra and Kumasi, with many engaged in menial jobs like carrying loads (Kayayei) or selling items in traffic. It said a significant number of the children are from Northern Ghana, and a large proportion are girls who face risks of sexual abuse, unwanted pregnancies, and diseases.
The coalition emphasized that most policies lack concrete interventions, making it difficult to hold policymakers accountable. Additionally, the absence of sustainability plans raises doubts about the long-term impact of the policies.
Call to Action
The coalition, comprising organizations such as CEDEPA, the Sung Foundation, the African Development Organisation for Migration (AFDOM), and others, called on both political parties to: Provide actionable, measurable interventions in their policies, align policies with state institutions for effective implementation and develop clear financial and logistical sustainability plans.
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for a safer and supportive environment for street-connected children and Kayayei to help them achieve their full potential.
“Without concrete plans, these policies risk becoming empty promises, leaving vulnerable populations to continue suffering on the streets,” a coalition spokesperson Ziblim Alhassan Bonzali remarked. The press conference concluded with a call for inclusive governance and sustainable solutions to the plight of street children and Kayayei.
Story by Ibrahim Angaangmeni Alhassan/Zaaradio.com
