Yaounde: Social Affairs Ministry, police caution on dangers of street hawking.

The General Delegation for National Security popularly known by its French abbreviation DGSN, has called on children who take up street hawking, as a holiday activity, to be cautious of the dangers involved with such an activity.

The DGSN also called on parents who force or send their young children out on the streets to hawk to find safer alternatives. This position by the police, has been reiterated by the Ministry of Social Affairs, MINAS.

In a series of episodes, the DGSN through its micro radio programme Canal Police, shared the dangers children face when hawking on the street.

The programme is broadcast on the national station FM 88.8, under the supervision of the Delegate General, Martin Mbarga Nguele.

Speaking on the programme, Superintendent of Police Ndze Amos Talla reiterated that children hawking on the streets during holidays is a problem.

“The dangers these children are exposed to cannot be neglected. They are exposed to accidents, drugs, health hazards, verbal, physical, mental and sexual abuses, harassment, and other forms of dangers. Many have even found their hard earned money seized by hoodlums that stop at nothing to make money,” Ndze stated on Canal Police.

He added that most of the children hawking edible items to vehicles that ply the high ways are under 18, and gender wise, male children have predominance.

Ndze noted that street hawking has huge implications for children’s physical and emotional wellbeing. 

He pointed out international human rights instruments forbid children from getting involved in any kind of child labour.

“Considering the numerous dangers, parents are called upon to organise safer activities that can keep their children occupied, but safe and entertained,” he said.

Enter MINAS

The Ministry of Social Affairs, MINAS has not only cautioned parents, but put in place mechanisms to protect children exposed to such dangers.

In an interview on the national bilingual daily newspaper Cameroon Tribune, the head of the programme ‘Social Protection of the Child’ at MINAS Henri Nyambi III Dikosso, disclosed that MINAS has put in place a National Commission for the Protection of Children in Moral Danger, Delinquent or Abandoned.

Dikosso explained that the commission is a consultative body chaired by the Minister of Social Affairs. It is responsible for issuing opinions and formulating suggestions on questions relating to the national policy on child protection.

“The national community and especially families should be aware of the dangers children could encounter when they send them to hawk the streets at very tender age. Some of these children could even be kidnapped or killed,” Dikosso reiterated.

He added that MINAS is also working to complete a draft decree determining the list of dangerous jobs forbidden to children. 

Dikosso opined the entry into force of this legal framework will undoubtedly lead to greater awareness and more effective action.

Child hawkers share experience

Since the start of the third term holidays, there has been an influx of youngsters engaged in commercial activities in the streets and markets.

To most of these kids, they are out to ‘hustle’ so they can financially support their parents during preparations for the new school year.

However, in the course of their daily work, these children are often the victims of lawless criminals who rob them of their takings, or crooks who consume their goods without paying.

A 15-year-old hawker in Yaounde, named Melvin Nana revealed he has been a victim of verbal abuse by some clients. 

He said sometimes even after the abuse, the clients still do not purchase their goods. 

For 17-year-old Isabella Lem, sexual advances, sometimes accompanied with harassment are very common to them young girls.

“Some clients try to invite me out for drinks or to come visit them in their houses. Some say they can change my life if I accept their sexual advances. That a beautiful girl like me is not supposed to be hawking on the streets,” Lem disclosed.

Parents react

Parents have expressed divided sentiments as far as child hawking is concerned. To some, it is a dangerous encounter, meanwhile some parents say it will help the children become responsible.

A carpenter, Joseph Ambassa calls it child labour and bad.

“I don’t understand why parents send children to do work that is not appropriate for their age. We as parents must take our responsibilities and do everything possible to ensure our children have a good life. We should be careful how we birth children so they do not come and suffer,” he said.

Business woman and mother Abele Elisabeth opined that street hawking by children is unacceptable.

“In fact, I do not agree to the fact that minor children are street vendors. It is important for children to stay at home and enjoy their holidays,” she said.

However, Ngong Christina, a housewife believes that children should be trained from an early age how to make money because life is not easy.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3172 of Thursday July 18, 2024