Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection closes down 81 orphanages

81 out of the 120 orphanages in Ghana have been closed down because of poor welfare of inmates. 

Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection Nana Oye Lithur, said a large number of the orphanages were operating illegally and putting the lives of the children at risk.

She noted with concern that the laws on the process of adoption were weak, resulting in most of the children being trafficked under the guise of adoption.

The Minister said this when she appeared before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament in Accra, which is considering the Performance Audit Report on selected Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Nana Oye Lithur said the Ministry is currently investigating why about 300 children were adopted into a particular country, suggesting a high level of child trafficking.

However, she did not disclose the country.

GBC