Ghana’s Gender Ministry Drives Adoption Reform Through Strategic Stakeholder Collaboration

Introduction: Prioritizing Child Welfare in Ghana’s Adoption System

In a significant move to enhance the integrity and efficiency of child welfare services, Ghana’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), acting through the Central Adoption Authority (CAA), convened a pivotal multi-stakeholder engagement workshop. This assembly, held on February 12, 2024, brought together key institutions involved in Ghana’s adoption ecosystem to address systemic challenges, foster collaboration, and streamline procedures. The core objective is unambiguous: to ensure every child in Ghana has the opportunity to grow up in a safe, permanent, and loving family environment, with adoption processes that are transparent, timely, and strictly aligned with national and international legal frameworks. This initiative underscores the government’s commitment to upholding the best interests of the child as the paramount consideration in all adoption decisions, a principle foundational to both the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560) and Ghana’s ratification of the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption.

Key Highlights from the Stakeholders’ Engagement Workshop

The workshop served as a critical forum for dialogue, planning, and recommitment. The following key outcomes and activities defined the event:

Ministerial Commitment and Strategic Direction

Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, delivered the keynote address. She articulated the government’s unwavering dedication to reforming adoption systems. Her address focused on three pillars: 1) strengthening administrative and procedural frameworks, 2) ensuring strict compliance with both domestic legislation and international treaties, and 3) safeguarding child welfare through enhanced stakeholder coordination. The minister framed adoption not merely as a legal process but as a fundamental child protection intervention requiring the highest standards of care, integrity, and professionalism.

Panel Discussion on Reducing Delays

A central component of the day was a panel discussion themed “Building Effective Collaboration to Reduce Delays in the Adoption Process.” Representatives from the Department of Social Welfare, the Judicial Service, the Attorney-General’s Department, accredited adoption agencies, and civil society organizations shared experiences and proposed concrete solutions. The dialogue identified bureaucratic bottlenecks, resource constraints, and communication gaps as primary contributors to prolonged waiting periods for children.

Stakeholder Role Clarification

A detailed presentation mapped the specific responsibilities of each entity within the adoption pathway—from the initial social inquiry and child assessment to home studies, matching, court proceedings, and post-placement monitoring. This clarity is essential for preventing role confusion and ensuring accountability.

Cultural Expression and Child Voice

The engagement concluded with a cultural performance by children from the Osu Children’s Home, a poignant reminder of the human faces behind the procedural reforms. It emphasized the importance of incorporating children’s perspectives and emotional well-being into the adoption journey.

Call for Renewed Collective Responsibility

Dr. Afisah Zakariah, Chief Director of MoGCSP and Chairperson of the Central Adoption Board, closed the session. She commended participants’ contributions and stressed the non-negotiable need for sustained partnership, meticulous adherence to established protocols, and a unified focus on child-centric outcomes. Her remarks reinforced that system strengthening is an ongoing, collaborative duty.

Background: Ghana’s Legal and Institutional Adoption Framework

To understand the significance of this workshop, one must appreciate the existing architecture governing adoption in Ghana. The system operates under a dual structure of domestic adoption and intercountry adoption, each with distinct but interconnected procedures.

Primary Legislation: The Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560)

This cornerstone legislation provides the legal basis for all child welfare interventions, including adoption. It establishes the principle that the child’s best interests are paramount, outlines the conditions for adoption (including spousal consent and the requirement for a minimum age difference), and defines the roles of social welfare officers and the courts. The Act mandates that adoption should be a last resort after efforts for family reunification or kinship care have been exhausted.

The Hague Convention and International Standards

Ghana’s accession to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption in 2017 was a watershed moment. The Convention imposes stringent standards to prevent child trafficking, abduction, and sale. It mandates that intercountry adoption should only be considered when suitable domestic arrangements are unavailable. It establishes a system of “Central Authorities” (in Ghana, the CAA within MoGCSP) to oversee cross-border cases, ensuring they are handled ethically and with proper safeguards. Compliance requires robust national legislation, accredited adoption service providers, and accredited receiving countries.

Institutional Players and Their Mandates

• Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP): The overall policy and regulatory body, housing the Central Adoption Authority.
• Central Adoption Authority (CAA): The designated Central Authority under the Hague Convention. It regulates, monitors, and approves all adoptions, maintains the adoption registry, and accredits local and foreign adoption agencies.
• Department of Social Welfare (DSW): The frontline operational arm. District Social Welfare Officers conduct home studies, assess children’s eligibility, prepare reports, and provide counseling and post-placement monitoring.
• Judicial Service (Family Tribunals): The courts with exclusive jurisdiction to grant adoption orders. They scrutinize all documentation and ensure legal requirements are met before finalizing an adoption.
• Accredited Adoption Agencies: Both Ghanaian and foreign NGOs or entities authorized by the CAA to facilitate adoptions, provide services, and ensure compliance with ethical standards.
• Attorney-General’s Department: Provides legal advice to the government and represents the state in adoption proceedings where necessary.

Analysis: The Imperative for Strengthened Collaboration

The recent stakeholder engagement is not an isolated event but a response to persistent, identifiable challenges within Ghana’s adoption landscape. A critical analysis reveals why systemic strengthening and inter-agency collaboration are not optional but essential.

Chronic Delays and Their Impact on Children

Perhaps the most cited issue is the protracted timeline for finalizing adoptions. Delays