Children Under Age 12 Begging on the Streets Cannot Be Arrested – Lawyer Francis Opoku
Lawyer Francis Opoku Explains Legal Boundaries and Long-Term Implications of Street Begging Among Children

In a powerful legal statement, Francis Opoku, a renowned private legal practitioner, has shed light on the complex issue of juvenile begging on the streets of Ghana.
According to Lawyer Opoku, children under the age of 12 who are found begging on the streets cannot be arrested by the police. Instead, the law permits authorities to arrest the mothers or individuals who incite the children into begging.
“While there are laws in place to curb begging, the challenge lies in enforcement and adherence to these laws,” Lawyer Opoku said.
In conversation with Kwame Tanko on the Ghana Se Sen Morning Show on Lawson TV/Radio he explained that the Beggars and Destitute Act of 1969 (NLCD 392) governs the regulation of begging and provides for the care of destitute individuals.
He highlighted that this Act criminalizes both begging and giving to beggars, while also setting up institutions for the care and rehabilitation of those involved in begging.
Lawyer Opoku further emphasized that the Act allows police officers to arrest those found begging in public without a warrant.
However, he stressed that the law targets those responsible for directing children into such activities, including their parents or others who may be inciting them.
“The law does not allow us to arrest the children themselves, but rather the adults who are facilitating this behavior,” he clarified.
While juvenile begging remains a visible issue, Opoku cautioned that, although there may not be an immediate security threat, the long-term consequences of neglecting this issue could be significant.
“Right now, we may not see the full impact, but in the next decade, we will undoubtedly feel the consequences,” Lawyer Opoku warned,
He emphasized the need for greater attention to both the enforcement of existing laws and the rehabilitation of young beggars.
The current legal framework, as outlined by Lawyer Opoku, reflects Ghana’s ongoing struggle to balance humanitarian concerns with public safety and social order.
As society continues to grapple with the rise of juvenile begging, questions of accountability, law enforcement, and the welfare of vulnerable children remain central to discussions about the future of Ghana’s public spaces and the well-being of its most vulnerable citizens.