The government has been called upon to turn urgently to private orphanages to address the growing economic pressure there. 

The Presiding Elder of the Oforikrom branch of the Apostolic Church of Ghana, said, it is high time economic support is provided to these homes that provide homeless children with holistic wellness to transform their lives.

Elder Sampson Kofi Wiredu revealed that most of these private orphanages are struggling to pay their utility bills among others.

In Ghana, it is difficult not to notice the increasing number of children at the intersection, and begging for money; Accra, Takoradi, Kumasi, and Tamale share the same situation.

At night, some of these children sleep in uncompleted buildings, under bridges, and on sidewalks in the open air.

Homeless children are an increasing concern in many large African cities.

According to a joint estimate by the ILO-UNICEF in 2011, 30 million children live on the streets in Africa.

In Ghana, conservative estimates suggest that approximately 204,000 children live on the streets of Accra, up from 33,000 in 2011.

Elder Wiredu believes that government support can encourage a greater number of private orphanage homes to provide additional shelter to reduce the number of street children in the country.

Elder Wiredu encouraged individuals, institutions, churches, mosques, and other combined organizations to visit the orphanages on a regular basis.

He stated that everyone has a fundamental responsibility to take care of vulnerable people.

The Presiding Elder made the appeal when the leadership of the Church presented a cheque of GHC5,000 to the Ashan Children's Home.

They also dined with the children at the home, supported widows and the elderly in the church. The programme cost the Church an amount of GH34,000.

The Deputy Director of the Ashan Children's Home laments the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the home and the support he received from individuals.

Madam Christiana Konadu said that the support that usually came to the house does not come anymore. Madam Konadu congratulated the church and called upon them to do more to keep the orphanage going.