Some of the beggars at one of the traffic intersections in Accra
Accra is hosting an unusual influx of beggars from both Nigeria and Niger – both ECOWAS countries, including a few from the Upper East Region of the country.
While Accra is used to the fair complexioned beggars from Niger, it is now hosting dark skinned Hausa-speaking alms-seeking persons from the same country who have come to Accra with their mothers.
Both sets of beggars send out their children to do the begging from motorists who stop at traffic intersections as the adults sit under nearby trees or alternative shelters.
The dark-skinned Nigeriennes originate from Boko Haram infested part of the West African country and can be largely spotted at the major traffic intersection near East Legon’s Emmanuel Eye Clinic.
The King Tackie Tawiah Overpass traffic intersection close to Atlantis Radio is another host to these beggars – most of them swooping on the place on Sundays. DAILY GUIDE has learnt about how some states in Nigeria especially Lagos is discouraging street begging hence their trooping to Ghana where the streets are free for begging.
For those of the beggars originating from the Upper East Region, they quickly learn some Hausa expressions and English for use in their trade.
DAILY GUIDE made an interesting discovery about some of the beggars who bring in livestock for sale in Accra. While the animals are being sold by middlemen – transaction which can take a few months, the owners hit the streets to engage in begging.
Some motorists have complained about the inconveniences of the young beggars of both sexes as risk their lives and stand by vehicles to beg.
The security implication of their presence in the country is what is worrying; an observer told DAILY GUIDE. The anonymous person said that ‘coming from a restive part of the sub-region, such beggars could pose a threat to our national security in the not distant future. It is clear that most of them would not want to return to their countries of origin and having grown up here, their conduct and influence on the local environment can be anything but inuring to our national interest.
When this reporter sought to take a photograph of some of them near Atlantis Radio, one of them queried in Hausa – not knowing that I understand the language. He said ‘it is circumstances in our country which drove us to this country. In my country my father has a car like yours.’
The ECOWAS allows free movement of citizens and this is thought to be why immigration officers are unable to thwart their influx to Ghana, especially Accra.
Some beggars make so much money that they own commercial vehicles. It all depends on which locations they ply their ‘trade’, some of such places proving more juicy than others.
Ghana would continue to be attractive to beggars from ECOWAS countries – the hospitability of the citizens and generosity serving as critical factors.
By A.R. Gomda