By Bertha Demah
Chief Executive Officer of Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF), Paul Semeh, has stated that supporting children who live on the streets is not an act of charity but a strategic investment in society’s collective future.
Speaking at SCEF’s 15th Anniversary Fundraising Gala held on Thursday, September 12, 2025, in Accra, Mr. Semeh passionately appealed to Ghanaians and the international community to see street-connected children as valuable contributors to society, rather than burdens.
“Supporting a child who has known the street is not charity. It is an investment in our shared future,” Mr. Semeh declared
The gala, themed “Celebrating 15 Years of Impact: Resilience, Empowerment & Future,” brought together donors, partners, volunteers, and beneficiaries to celebrate the foundation’s journey and reaffirm its mission to empower marginalized children.
Mr. Semeh reflected on the organization’s beginnings, recalling the skepticism they initially faced.
“When SCEF began, people often asked, ‘Can small acts really change big realities? Over the years, I have seen many children that everyone felt would not make it become role models and graduates from our tertiary institutions” he said.
He highlighted the critical role of community involvement, grassroots mobilization, and volunteerism in sustaining the organization’s work.
“We are not an offshoot of an organisation that has enormous resources, From our grassroots mobilisations, individuals, and community initiatives, we have shown resilience that you can really believe in a dream and carry the dream and keep pushing” he noted.
Addressing the congregation, Mr. Semeh issued a call to action, urging attendees to support the cause in three key ways, through giving, partnering, and advocacy.
“One, give to sustain and expand the services that keep children safe and restore them to family where possible. Two, partner bring your skills, your networks, your platforms to scale what works. Three, advocate ensure that every child in this situation is treated with dignity, included in policy and practice,” he said.
He also applauded staffs, volunteers, and young people who have been part of the foundation’s journey, calling them the “heart” of SCEF’s success.
“To my staff, my volunteers and young people, thank you for the courage and for teaching us what life looks like, To our partners and donors, thank you for believing believing that every child is first and always a human being worthy of care” he mentioned.
In addition, Chair of Serve’s Board of Trustees, Dr. Bella Bello Bitugu Speaking at the event described the organisation’s journey as “a story of people who refused to look away.”
He emphasized SCEF’S impact over the past decade and a half has been made possible by a combination of compassion, effective systems, and accountability.
“The reality of children in vulnerable situations continues to test our compassion and our institutions That is why our work past, present and future is guided by three essential tangents: compassion that sustains, systems that protect, and accountability that delivers results” Dr. Bitugu mentioned.
Dr. Bitugu encouraged corporate donors and philanthropic partners to move beyond one-time support and invest in long-term, measurable child protection interventions.
He also urged policy makers to integrate SCEF’s “practical learning” into national systems, so that more children can be reached early and effectively.
“We are asking civic leaders and governments to help us ensure that Serve’s solutions don’t stay on the margins, but become part of the mainstream,” he said.
Further Queen Mother of Ngleshi Alata Traditional Area in Jamestown Queen Nana Affipong IV affirmed her royal mandate built upon five pillars: Girl Child Uplift and Youth Empowerment, Health, Welfare, Unity, and Partnership.
“As Queen Mother, I have pledged my reign to three duties to uplift our children, to redevelop our heritage lands, and to protect our people’s rights with fairness and transparency, I expanded this into five pillars, and tonight, I see SEF’s mission aligning strongly with the very first: the uplift of our children” she stressed.
The Queen Mother warned that without prioritizing the needs of vulnerable youth particularly girls and street children Ghana’s development would rest on fragile foundations.
“If our children, especially those in extreme situations, are denied education, denied safety, and denied dignity, then all our other dreams for development will stand on weak foundations” she stated.
HRH emphasized that SEF’s work goes beyond education. She connected their mission with broader issues facing Jamestown, including urban redevelopment and land governance.
“When we redevelop Jamestown’s seaside or restore our historic landmarks, we must do so with inclusion. Not only must we build hotels and cultural centres, we must ensure our youth are trained and employed. Development without inclusion is not progress it is displacement” She explained
The Queen Mother also linked land transparency reforms to the creation of safe spaces for children, suggesting that equity in governance can directly benefit social welfare and education outcomes.
she urged the public, government, diaspora, and all stakeholders to unite behind SCEF’s vision.
“Together, we can make sure that every child of Jamestown, whether born in privilege or on the streets, finds a path to dignity, knowledge, and opportunity” she advised.
