![\"migrant-abuse-2\"](\"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/migrant-abuse-2.jpg\")
\u201cHave you ever lived in Nigeria?\u201d she nods affirmatively. I asked, \u201cwhich country do you come from?\u201d she responds, Niger.<\/p>\n
Across the road, a man in \u201cjarabia\u201d \u2013 a long dress worn mostly by Muslims with a cap to match, crosses the road \u2013 the NIB\/Bank of Africa junction.<\/p>\n
He comes to \u201cAmina.\u201d He collects some money from her and walks away.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s the fate of this child in the next ten years when his right to education is denied?<\/p>\n
In front of an abandoned shop, two women sit on a bench \u2013 their mothers. Across the road, two children are seen begging. There\u2019re those who throw some coin or note at them; others, their smile or contemptuous look.<\/p>\n
This is the day to day activity of migrant children. They\u2019re Nigeriens. They\u2019re involved in begging on the streets of Ghana \u2013 Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, Tamale and Wa. The crux of this matter is the rights of these children \u2013 education and child labour.<\/p>\n
Various human rights documents that\u00a0 member countries of the African Union and United Nations have ratified show that there\u2019s a violation \u00a0of the rights of these children \u2013 the African Charter on the Welfare and Rights of the Children (ACRWC ), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the\u00a0 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the UNESCO Convention\u00a0 Against Discrimination in Education , the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and the Human Rights of Migration Law.<\/p>\n
![\"migrant-abuse-1\"](\"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/migrant-abuse-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
These children spend their day begging on the streets of Wa. What becomes of their education? According to ACRWC Article 11, \u201cevery child shall have the right to an education\u201d the CRC Article 28 (a), \u201cStates Parties recognize the right of the child to education, and with a view to achieving this right progressively and on the basis of equal opportunity, they shall, in particular make primary education compulsory and available free to all\u201d<\/p>\n
CRC, Article 19, \u201cStates Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse, while in the care of parent(s), legal guardian(s) or any other person who has the care of the child\u201d.<\/p>\n
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4, 5, 8 and 16 and targets make a case for the rights of these children. Goal 4, \u201censure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all\u201d, goal 5, \u201cachieve gender equality and empower all women and girls\u201d, goal 8, \u201cpromote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all\u201d and goal 16, \u201cpromote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels\u201d<\/p>\n
The world celebrates Universal Children\u2019s Day on November 20. The UN General Assembly this established this celebration in 1954 and subsequently adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.<\/p>\n
![\"migrant-child\"](\"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/migrant-child.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The celebration is to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide and improving children’s welfare. On the contrary, this situation of Nigerien children begging on the streets of some parts of Ghana and the West African sub-Region has been in existence for quite long.<\/p>\n
Has anyone bothered to find out how these children will end up? No education and no skill \u2013 they become \u201ccheap labour\u201d for various terrorist groups who are threatening our continent and the world at large.<\/p>\n
The Nigerien Embassies across the West African sub-region, the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and Non-Governmental Organisations involved in Child Rights across the globe must get their acts together to ensure that the continued denial of the rights of these children comes to an end.<\/p>\n
Child rights go beyond ratifying documents \u2013 it\u2019s holding States Parties accountable, and enforcing the rights no matter the national residence of these children. Arise for these children.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
By: Alex Blege<\/p>\n
The writer is a freelance journalist with interests in human and social development and sustainable development. Email: kw.ameblege@hotmail.com\/kwameselom12@gmail.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
She stops by a motorbike or \u201cMahama Kambu\u201d \u2013 the tricycle taxi in the Wa Municipality \u2013 she stretches one hand for money, and puts the other on her stomach \u2013 she says, \u201cgive me money to buy food.\u201d Her dress covers the money bag tied to her waist line. Her name, \u201cAmina,\u201d 10, her […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":270976,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[374],"tags":[5913,3,13856,13857,1726,4771],"yoast_head":"\n