Lockdown: The fate of beggars at Abbosey Okai

Beggars at Abossey Okai still spend both their days and nights out in the open despite the partial lockdown in some parts of Accra.

They are gathered at Happy Days, close to the ICGC temple with all their belongings.

According to a resident of the neighbourhood, some of the beggars have been living there for over 5-years.

Government has promised to cater for the vulnerable in society during the lockdown period and have since visited some areas to ensure that.

It is however uncertain what the fate of these beggars at Abossey Okai is, as a resident who spoke to GhanaWeb says she’s yet to see any government officials visiting the area to cater for these persons.

She, however, said some individuals and private organisations have come around to give them some food and other items.

Due to the condition they find themselves in, these beggars cannot abide by the social distancing directive.

Addressing the media on 1st April 2020, the Minister for Gender and Social Protection, Cynthia Mamle Morrison said “We are going to provide food and shelter for 10,435 PWD’ during the lockdown and we’re going to give hot meals to our brothers and sisters on the streets. We also have 20 mentally challenged persons on the streets who are going to be picked and catered for in a facility. We will also train the vulnerable on the streets on social distancing and personal hygiene.”

Ghana has recorded 287 Coronavirus cases so far with 5 deaths and 3 recoveries.