Beggars in Kumasi lament over low Eid alms

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country has not only impacted negatively on businesses and place restrictions on social lives, but has also left many beggars crying on the streets.

This is because, their major source of income, which is alms from people especially, the religious faithful who believed in sacrifice and alms-giving, did not come as expected this year.

Eid al-Fitr festivities has over the years, been one of the major occasion for almsgiving by Muslim faithful and avenue for most beggars to make ‘bumper harvest’.

However, the outbreak of COVID-19 with its consequent restrictions on movement and social gatherings this year, prevented open prayers in mosques and other outdoor celebrations, where these beggars go to beg for alms.

This, according to the beggars who spoke to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at the Kumasi Central Mosque, has brought untold financial hardship on them.

The beggars, some of whom had travelled from other neighbouring West African countries to ‘seek greener pastures’ amidst the COVID-19, were seen very disappointed at the turn of events.