Nonprofit Feeds 400 Street Children in Accra Outreach

A Ghanaian nonprofit organization provided meals to more than 400 street children in central Accra on Saturday, April 5, during a community-led initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity among the city’s most vulnerable populations.

The event, organized by returnee-led group Seven Sparks, distributed hot meals at Kwame Nkrumah Circle and the Arts Centre, two areas with high concentrations of homeless youth.

Founder Seven Sparks, who relocated to Ghana after years abroad, said the effort was inspired by daily encounters with individuals struggling to access basic necessities. “Since returning, I’ve seen children sleeping on streets, begging for food or water,” he said. “This isn’t about charity—it’s about dignity.” The group funded the outreach through a crowdfunding campaign supported primarily by diasporan contributors.

Children accounted for nearly 80% of beneficiaries, according to volunteers. One recipient, 12-year-old Ali, who sleeps near Kwame Nkrumah Circle, described the meal as his first “proper dinner” in weeks. “We share what we find, but today there was enough for everyone,” he said.

Volunteer Yaa Adjekum, 24, emphasized the logistical challenges of serving street populations. “Many distrust organizations, so building rapport took time,” she said. “But seeing them line up willingly—that’s progress.”

The founder, who traces his ancestry to Ghanaian communities impacted by the transatlantic slave trade, framed the initiative as both a homecoming and a responsibility. “This land nurtured my forebears. Supporting its children is the least I can do,” he said. Seven Sparks plans monthly distributions, with a long-term goal of partnering with local schools to identify at-risk youth.

The initiative highlights Ghana’s persistent struggle with urban poverty, where UNICEF estimates over 100,000 children live on streets nationwide. While Accra’s government has launched programs to reduce homelessness, critics argue implementation lags behind need. “Grassroots efforts fill gaps, but systemic change requires policy shifts,” said Kojo Asante, director of governance at the Accra-based Center for Democratic Development. Recent inflation spikes—food prices rose 28% year-over-year in March 2025—have exacerbated vulnerabilities, particularly among displaced families.

Historically, Ghana’s street population swelled following 1980s structural adjustment programs that cut social services. Today, groups like Seven Sparks echo broader diasporan engagement trends, with returnees increasingly driving social enterprises. Yet sustainability remains a hurdle: 60% of similar nonprofits fold within two years due to funding shortages. For now, beneficiaries like Ali cling to temporary relief. “Tomorrow’s uncertain,” he said. “But tonight, we slept full.”