The Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF), a leading Non-Governmental Organization dedicated to empowering street-connected children with access to education and a dignified life, has marked its 15th anniversary with a National Stakeholders Symposium in Accra.
The event celebrated SCEF’s impactful journey and highlighted a renewed national commitment to supporting vulnerable children across Ghana.
Dr. Rejoice W. Foil, a member of SCEF’s Board of Directors, reflected on the organization’s founding mission: to ensure every street child in Ghana has the opportunity to live with dignity, access education, and reach their full potential.
“Today, we are a testament to what can be achieved when compassion is paired with consistent action,” she said.
Over the past 15 years, SCEF has positively impacted more than 1.7 million individuals, reached over 4.6 million people through media advocacy, and built at least 93 strong partnerships locally and internationally.
Beyond the numbers, the organization’s true legacy lies in the lives transformed—children who once lived on the margins are now in classrooms, undergoing skills training, and reintegrating into society.
This year, SCEF is commemorating its milestone with several activities, including its Sharing Is Caring health outreach, the upcoming Homecoming Caravan, and the national symposium—an initiative aimed at transforming advocacy into concrete national action.
Board member Nana Adjoa highlighted a major national milestone: the launch of Ghana’s 5-Year National Strategic Plan for Street-Connected Children and Young Persons in August 2024.
“This strategy provides a comprehensive, data-driven roadmap that moves beyond charity to focus on rights-based empowerment and structural reform,” she stated.
The plan outlines measures to conduct nationwide data collection, reduce access barriers, establish long-term care systems, and create sustainable funding mechanisms to enhance collaboration among NGOs and state institutions.
Nana Adjoa emphasized that the symposium is more than a symbolic gesture—it is a strategic convergence of government officials, civil society, NGOs, educators, religious leaders, media, and development partners working together to ensure the plan is implemented in the communities where it matters most.
“We are excited that this symposium paves the way for the International Day for Street Children on April 12. We hope the energy and insights generated here will strengthen our national advocacy efforts,” she added.
SCEF Executive Director Mr. Semeh noted that the forum presents an opportunity to conduct a nationwide survey to accurately determine the number of street children and inform effective policy responses.
He emphasized that the event builds on 15 years of advocacy and operational experience, aiming to drive collaborative, impactful change so that every child in Ghana receives the support and empowerment they need.
“We want to issue a clear call to action—one that mobilizes resources, encourages stakeholder engagement, and turns policy into real-world impact,” Mr. Semeh said.
Dr. Prince Boamah Abrah, Director of Social Welfare at the Ministry, confirmed the government’s commitment to launching a nationwide headcount of street children to collect accurate data for effective planning and intervention.
