By Mohamed Fofanah (Fofie)
It is a constitutional right for the beggars to enjoy the basic social amenities like other ordinary Sierra Leoneans.
In the dispensation of democracy, the beggars play important role when it comes to electioneering processes in Sierra Leone.
Disappointingly, this is the only time politicians and other stakeholders consider them as important figures in the society.
Note that the beggars are equally important and they are part and parcel of our existence.
In these days, the number of homeless beggars living in the streets, on market squares, on ramshackle buildings and under bridges, is grossly escalating.
In that regard, it seems that there is no proper planning by the government for beggars’ reduction on their figures in the heart of Freetown.
They usually move up and down in the rain and in the sun just to find their survival.
Some go to bed without a single proper meal for a day.
In actual fact they lack these three significance basic amenities such as food, shelter and clothing.
The worst of it all, children who supposed to be in schools are used to begging in order to keep their families alive and kicking.
Everything surely goes wrongly on the lives of the beggars as the rainy season makes their condition really miserable.
Most of these beggars mostly spend their nights under bridges, on market squares and in dilapidated buildings while romancing with the cold breeze as politicians enjoy the cozy atmosphere with their loved ones.
At least, let the government allocate one percent of the national budget to sustain the lives of the beggars by giving them good accommodations. The street is not meant for them.
Although things are hard in the country, they equally deserve the best as Sierra Leoneans.
Speaking with one of the beggars at Juba Bridge, Lumley, and Freetown, Pa Alie Sesay narrated: “We face a lot of humiliations in the streets more especially in the rainy season. Sometimes after begging, some gangsters would harass us and take away our money we have gotten for a day,” the complained.
“We do fall sick regularly because of the cold weather at night.”
Begging is a serious issue now in Freetown. Although the government might try to find solution, there is no sign of improvement to get beggars a better life. Day-by-day problems of beggars continue to increase due to high population pressure, poor family growth. And lack of Sierra Leone’s economic growth affects the living standards of the beggars in the country. Economic growth increases the per capita income of the world while on the other side family growth negatively affects a person’s income in Sierra Leone.
There have been numbers of beggars around Kissy Road, Lumley, and Cotton Tree area, with children often used unlawfully to expedite street begging activity in a society which violates the rights of children and also affects the children by different angles and parameters.
Of all what riches this nation is endowed, one can’t imagine if this nation should have gotten a single beggar in the city. The government needs to discuss beggars’ growing issues at all levels. The beggars are highly important as they too deserve better and preferential treatments.