By Makutu Manneh
The country’s minister for gender, children, and social welfare, Fatou Kinteh, on Tuesday described the growing presence of children begging in the streets as “child abuse” and said the government was developing measures to reduce the practice.
Speaking on state broadcaster Gambia Radio and Television Services, Ms. Kinteh expressed concern over reports of parents and guardians soliciting alms alongside their children in busy areas, particularly around the Turntable junction.
“Children have two places—home and school,” she said. “You shouldn’t use the child to beg. That is child abuse, and we are coming up with strategies to address all of those.”
Ms. Kinteh said her ministry was working on programs to provide financial assistance and livelihood training to vulnerable families, with the aim of reducing the economic pressures that often lead to child street begging.
She acknowledged that reversing the trend would be difficult, noting that the number of children seen begging in public spaces appeared to be rising.
“We know it is not going to be easy,” she said. “Because we see that it is on the increase, and we are very concerned about it. We are coming up with strategies.”
The minister added that enforcement and outreach efforts would be intensified to ensure that children remain in school and are not exposed to exploitation on the streets.
Her remarks come amid growing public concern about child welfare and urban poverty in The Gambia, where informal street economies have expanded in recent years.
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