Committee on the Rights of the Child
100th session
Geneva, 12–30 January 2026
Consideration of reports of States Parties
Replies of Ghana to the list of issues in relation to its combined sixth and seventh reports *
[Date received: 20 May 2025]
List of acronyms
CRCConvention on the Rights of the Child
UNCRCUnited Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child
DOCDepartment of Children
MoGCSPMinistry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
IE&CInformation, Education and Communication
NHISNational Health Insurance Scheme
LEAPLivelihood Empowerment Against Poverty
SHSSenior High School
SWIMSSocial Welfare Information Management System
HISWAHarmonizing and Improving Social Welfare Activities
CLCDCentre for Learning and Childhood Development
ECCDEarly Childhood Care and Development
CHRAJCommission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice
CCTVClosed-Circuit Television
UNICEFUnited Nations Children’s Fund
NGOsNon-Governmental Organizations
CSOsCivil Society Organizations
GESGhana Education Service
MoEMinistry of Education
DSWDepartment of Social Welfare
GHSGhana Health Service
DOVVSUDomestic Violence and Victims Support Unit
FGMFemale Genital Mutilation
NCCENational Commission for Civic Education
BDRBirths and Deaths Registry
CSACyber Security Authority
POCPoint of Contact
IWFInternet Watch Foundation
COPChild Online Protection
KMCKangaroo Mother Care
CHOsCommunity Health Officers
CHPSCommunity-based Health Planning and Services
IMNCIIntegrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness
AYFHSAdolescent and Youth Friendly Health Services
SRHSexual and Reproductive Health
HPVHuman Papillomavirus
STIsSexually Transmitted Infections
AIDSAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
HIVHuman Immunodeficiency Virus
EMTCTElimination of Mother-To-Child Transmission
PSGPharmaceutical Society of Ghana
NACOCNarcotic Control Commission
WASHWater, Sanitation and Hygiene
SHEPSchool Health Education Project
CLTSCommunity-Led Total Sanitation
ISSIntegrated Social Services
TVETTechnical, Vocational, Educational Training
NaSIANational Schools Inspectorate Authority
FCUBEFree Compulsory Universal Basic Education
GRBGhana Refugee Board
GISGhana Immigration Service
AHSTIPAnti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons
RSIMResearch Statistics and Information Management
DHIMS 2District Health Information Management System (Version 2)
UNUnited Nations
SDGsSustainable Development Goals
ILOInternational Labour Organization
IOMInternational Organization for Migration
GSSGhana Statistical Service
MICSMultiple Indicator Cluster Survey
GDHSGhana Demographic and Health Survey
CPMISChild Protection Management Information System
FSHSFree Senior High School
GSFPGhana School Feeding Programme
CAACentral Adoption Authority
Introduction
1.This report covers Ghana’s response to the list of issues raised by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child on Ghana’s combined 6th & 7th CRC report. It is meant to update information contained in the 6th & 7th CRC report as recommended by the UNCRC. The report discusses efforts put in place or envisaged to implement provisions of the CRC, achievements made, and challenges encountered by the State party in fulfilling the rights of children.
Replies to the list of issues (CRC/C/GHA/Q/6-7)
Part I
Reply to paragraph 2 (a)
2.Ghana has, since the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), demonstrated its commitment to implementing the provisions necessary for fulfilling children’s rights. National legislation concerning children reflects the principles outlined in the CRC. For instance, the Criminal and Other Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) was amended in 1994 and 1998 to align with the CRC’s provisions. Additionally, the ongoing amendments to various child legislation, including the 1998 Children’s Act and the Juvenile Justice Act of 2003, have reached an advanced stage. The purpose of these amendments is to ensure that the legislation addresses current and emerging issues affecting the rights of children and to consider the general comments made on the CRC by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Reply to paragraph 2 (b)
3.Though Ghana has no composite policy and strategy for child rights implementation, there are several existing policies with action plans for it. These include the Child and Family Welfare Policy, 2015; the Justice for Children Policy, 2016; the Child Labour Policy, 2006; the Early Childhood Education Policy, 2004; the Child Health Standards and Strategy (2017–2025); the Child Protection Guidelines for Health Workers, 2018; the Under-5 Child Health Policy, 2007; the Adolescent Reproductive Health Policy, 2000, etc. Additionally, national guidelines and strategies have been developed with monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to effectively implement the policies. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Child Policy 2019–2030, which is a comprehensive child policy, is also being implemented to strengthen the child protection system in the region.
Reply to paragraph 2 (c)
4.The Department of Children (DOC) of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), which is the main coordinating agency for child protection, established the Child Protection in Emergency Committee in 2023 to further strengthen its child protection system. The Committee, which has representations from various sectors, meets quarterly to assess progress made and develop initiatives to protect children during emergency situations. This panel works under the existing National and Regional Child Protection Committees, which also meet quarterly to evaluate child rights implementation in the country. Coordination is also achieved through the dissemination of child policies, laws, and IE&C materials on child protection and capacity-building initiatives by the DOC and other child rights agencies.
Reply to paragraph 2 (d)
5.Over the reporting period, budget allocation by government to improve child protection has increased substantially. The basic school capitation grants under education went up from GH¢4.50 to GH¢10 during the 2017–18 school year. An allocation of a 73.2% increment in the grant has been made by the government beginning the 2025/26 academic year. The number of students benefiting from the school feeding program also increased, from 3,448,065 in 2020 to 4,029,580 in 2024. Starting from 2025, the daily feeding cost per child has also increased by 33.3% compared to the previous year. Children continued to make up the largest proportion of active National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) membership, although their share decreased slightly from 42% in 2020 to 39% in 2023 due to an increase in indigent members on the scheme. Funding of the NHIS has increased over the years, and it covers essential medicines, vaccine payments, free primary healthcare, among other things. Fund release to the scheme increased tremendously by 380% over a four-year period, 2020–2023.The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty program (LEAP) program, which includes a substantial proportion of children, also saw a tremendous increase in funding in 2023 and 2024. The Ministry of Finance doubled cash grants to beneficiary households in 2023 and again in 2024, marking a 300% increase over two years. Beneficiary households will be increased from 350,551 to 400,000 beginning July 2025, according to the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry of Finance increased the funding of the free SHS programme in 2025 and will continue to sustain it in subsequent years through sustainable initiatives. Adequate funding was also allocated for the comprehensive provision of free, curriculum-based textbooks for kindergarten, primary, and JHS pupils. Despite efforts by the government to increase funding to the child protection sector, budgetary allocations for goods and services to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs for child protection are below that required for effective implementation of child rights.
Reply to paragraph 2 (e)
6.Since 2021, we have enhanced data collection and management. The Ghana National Household Registry under MoGCSP is mandated to establish a single national household register, from which beneficiaries of social protection programmes will be selected. The registry regularly embarks on updates of data on households to ensure efficient targeting of beneficiaries of social protection programmes. The Social Welfare Information Management System (SWIMS), which was designed to improve the identification, management, and referral of cases by social workers, has been operational since 2021. This system helps in the storage and retrieval of data and monitoring of child rights abuse and other social protection cases.
7.The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), through the Harmonizing and Improving Statistics in West Africa (HISWA) project, aimed to standardize all data collected by agencies under the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP). This initiative facilitates real-time tracking of the Ministry’s work, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of data management across various agencies.
8.In addition, the Ministry in partnership with Centre for Learning and Childhood Development Ghana launched the ECCD dashboard in November 2024 to facilitate the implementation of the new ECCD policy. The ECCD dashboard is a user-friendly online database system that has 51 indicators of ECCD interventions, disaggregated by sex, region, district, settlement, and wealth. The public has access to the dashboard and can easily download available data. The child protection online reporting portal operated by the DOC is also effective in monitoring and collecting data on awareness creation and sensitisation on child protection issues being undertaken. The DOC also embarks upon periodic compilation of statistics on children, which is known as ‘Data Gallery on Children’. The goal of this process is to compile all the disparate statistics on children into a single document for convenient access. All these efforts have improved data collection and management on child protection issues to enhance decision-making.
Reply to paragraph 2 (f)
9.Government continues to provide financial, technical and logistical support to CHRAJ to carry out their operations. It is decentralised to the district level for effective implementation of their mandate. CHRAJ also cooperates with international agencies to receive financial and technical assistance to enhance their operations.
Reply to paragraph 2 (g)
10.The Juvenile Justice Act, 2003 (Act 653) ensures that cases involving children in contact with the law are handled using the welfare approach and that the best interest of the child is considered throughout the justice process. The Justice for Children Policy, 2016 also aims to improve access to justice for children in line with acceptable standards, values and beliefs of the formal and community justice system. It is designed to prevent juvenile offending and guide the reform of laws, policies and develop guidelines for handling cases relating to children at all levels.
11.The first child-friendly court was established in 2018 and as at December 2024, the country has 20 child-friendly courts established across the country. These child-friendly courts are equipped with child-friendly waiting rooms, Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) playing materials, a library resourced with educational materials and literature on child protection. In addition, a standard operating procedure have been developed for use by Judges and court staff in managing cases. Judges and court staff are also offered child-sensitive trainings to equip them in handling cases of children. In addition to the child-friendly court system, the Ghana Police Service is implementing child-friendly policing initiatives to respond to the needs of children in contact with the law. These include child-sensitive trainings offered to police personnel and adapting a child-friendly environment at police stations.
Reply to paragraph 3
12.District Labour Officers conducts inspection in businesses to ensure their operations do not infringe on the rights of children, particularly, child labour. They are also expected to comply with regulations by the Environmental Protection Agencies, Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Standards Authority for the safety of all persons including children. The country in 2024 began an assessment on children and environmental health risks covering their exposure to heavy metals, toxic materials, hazardous waste, air pollution and climate change. The final report on the assessment was completed in March 2025 and is expected to be used for national strategies to address environmental risks and the health of children.
Reply to paragraph 4
13.Ghana has made notable progress in its efforts to eliminate discrimination against vulnerable groups. Legal frameworks have been established to ensure non-discrimination for minorities and vulnerable populations, including girls, children with disabilities, migrants, refugees, and asylum-seeking children. Key laws such as the Persons with Disability Act (2006), the 1992 Ghana Refugee Law, the Children’s Act, and the 1992 Constitution support these efforts. Additionally, policies like the Child and Family Welfare Policy and the Justice for Children Policy aim to safeguard the rights of these groups. The government has also established and strengthened institutions, including the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, the Ghana Refugee Board, and the National Disaster Management Organisation, all of which focus on the welfare of vulnerable girls, persons with disabilities, and migrant children. Collaboration between the government, UN agencies, civil society organizations (CSOs), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) further enhances the protection and promotion of these rights.
14.One significant initiative is the implementation of the Inclusive Education Policy, which ensures that children with special needs have access to quality education. This is achieved through the establishment and rehabilitation of special schools, the provision of teaching materials, training for teachers to effectively support these children, and the creation of disability-friendly environments to facilitate their integration into mainstream schools.
15.Moreover, special scholarship schemes have been introduced for needy and gifted children, with a particular focus on girls and other vulnerable groups, including those with disabilities. Initiatives such as providing bicycles for girls to travel to school, distributing free sanitary pads to girls in basic and senior high schools, and implementing policies for the re‑entry of pregnant schoolgirls demonstrate a commitment to supporting these populations.
16.Support for vulnerable groups is also provided through programs like the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), the School Feeding Program, and allocations from the District Assembly Common Fund for Persons with Disabilities, prioritizing the educational needs of children with disabilities. These social protection interventions are crucial for reducing inequality in Ghanaian society.
17.In August 2024, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP) launched a five-year strategic plan for street-connected children and young persons (2024–2028). This plan aims to promote and protect the rights of street-connected children in a comprehensive and collaborative manner, ensuring they have access to opportunities that will improve their circumstances.
Reply to paragraph 5 (a)
18.In Ghana, the Births and Deaths Registration Act, 2020 (Act 1027) which replaced Act 301 provides for the registration of births in the country. The Act establishes the Births and Deaths Registry (BDR) to register all births and deaths in Ghana. It is decentralised in the regions, districts and sub-districts for effective service delivery. The Act provides for the registration of births within the first year of birth to be free of charge.
19.Some measures taken to improve registration of births include the following:
•The use of mobile birth registration systems across all 261 districts since 2016. This ensures hard to reach rural areas have access to birth registration services.
•The implementation of the community population registers which began in March 2023 to ensure seamless and credible civil registration statistics as data are produced by community members.
Reply to paragraph 5 (b)
20.Children now have access to information from variety of sources through the establishment of new libraries and rehabilitation of old libraries across the country. The Ghana Library Authority operates a digital library stocked with e-books and runs a mobile library service aimed at bringing library service to rural communities which lack library facilities. The mobile library is equipped with books, computers with internet service and ICT training for children and adults. Ghana Broadcasting Corporation also has a dedicated television and radio channels for curricular-based teaching for basic and senior high school learners.
21.The following measures are put in place to protect children in the digital environment.
•Embarking on awareness creation campaigns in schools, religious gatherings, communities, other social gatherings and through the electronic media on cyber hygiene practices. This also includes establishing cyber security clubs and associations in schools and organising quiz competitions and hackathons for students to enhance awareness creation.
•Holding capacity building programmes on online child sexual protection and abuse for key stakeholders in child protection.
•Implementing 24/7 Incidents Points of Contact (POC) for reporting and appropriately managing cyber alerts, incidents, and potential vulnerabilities concerning children and young people. The available contacts include Call (292), SMS (292), Mobile App (CSA Ghana), WhatsApp (0501603111), E-mail (report@csa.gov.gh).
•Operationalising the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) Reporting Portal which enables reporting and takedown procedures of images and videos of illegal and harmful content of children and young people encounter online.
22.To enforce the protection of children in the digital environment, the Government of Ghana has enacted the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) which contains provisions aimed at protecting children and young people from all forms of child online abuse. A legislative instrument to the Act has been drafted to strengthen the legal and policy regime addressing online child exploitation and abuse. A child online protection framework, 2024 is being implemented to ensure a secure cyberspace for children.
23.In addition, a digital forensic lab has been established within the Criminal Investigation Department of the Ghana Police Service to provide solid evidence to investigate and prosecute criminals who engage in online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Reply to paragraph 6 (a)
24.There are adequate number of child protection infrastructures such as schools, health facilities, residential homes but limited in terms of shelters for victims of child abuse. The Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service offer services including counselling, legal assistance and referrals for victims of child abuse. Other NGOs also offer intervention programmes for children who are victims of abuse. Recovery programmes by the DSW for child abuse victims are effective to ensure victims are quickly reintegrated into the society. Judicial interventions are improving as trainings are being given to judges and security personnel on how to handle cases involving children in contact with the law in addition to the construction of child-friendly gender-based violence courts.
Reply to paragraph 6 (b)
25.Capacity-building programs for stakeholders in child protection aim to prevent and address cases of sexual exploitation. In 2024, over 250 personnel participated in a new initiative called Preventing Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PCSEA). State agencies have also conducted periodic training sessions, equipping security personnel with the skills and knowledge necessary for effective collaboration and evidence-building to facilitate the prosecution of causes related to the commercial sexual exploitation of children. These training initiatives are expected to empower security personnel to conduct thorough investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.
26.For the recovery of child victims of sexual exploitation, the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) conducts social inquiries to assess the needs of these victims. Following this assessment, the DSW may refer the victims or seek necessary support, including psychosocial and financial assistance, through collaboration with appropriate agencies such as the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Mental Health Authority, and various civil society organizations (CSOs).
Reply to paragraph 6 (c)
27.Combating corporal punishment in schools has been very positive during the reporting period. The Ministry of Education (MoE) and Ghana Education Service (GES) have jointly revised the Code of Conduct for Staff in 2017. The new Code makes it an offense for teachers to apply corporal punishment to children. Teachers who violate directives on corporal punishment receive sanctions such as interdictions. A reporting mechanism has been developed, and learners receive education on how to use it.
28.The ‘Safe School’ Programme implemented by the GES aims to prevent all forms of violence and abuse against school children thereby creating a safe environment for teaching and learning. Workshops are being organised for teachers to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to implement the programme.
29.The Ghana Education Service has thus successfully developed a Positive Discipline Toolkit for correcting learners’ misbehaviour. The toolkit is right-based and helps children to be disciplined while at the same time helping them to acquire desirable habits and attitudes in school.
30.In homes and other settings, there are awareness creation and education programmes organised for religious and traditional leaders and community members on child abuse including corporal punishment. A behavioural change campaign known as ‘I Will’ which was launched in 2021 is ongoing to enhance the knowledge of caregivers of children on developing positive attitude towards nurturing and caring for children.
Reply to paragraph 6 (d)
31.Efforts to combat child marriage have been effective evidenced in the consistent decline in incidence of child marriage as reported by the Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys. The current rate of child marriage is 16.1% in 2022, a drop in the 2014 rate of 20.7%. Measures adopted to combat the menace include:
(a)Development of a National Strategic Framework for the elimination of Child Marriage in Ghana (2017–2026);
(b)Creation of platforms for awareness-creation, experience-sharing, learning, and strategizing around the elimination of child marriage;
(c)Increased public responsiveness to issues of child marriage through social communication;
(d)Strengthen response mechanisms through improved service delivery in shelters;
(e)Establish a Monitoring and Evaluation System to measure progress and improve results;
(f)Collaboration has also been carried out between the MoGCSP, DSW/CD and National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) on awareness-raising and education programs to address harmful social and cultural practices which impact the institution of marriage as well. Seven paramountcy in the country have thus declared child-marriage free area to this effect.
Reply to paragraph 6 (e)
32.The amendment of the Criminal and other offences Act, 1960 (Act 29) in 1994 abolished and criminalised the practice of FGM in Ghana. Efforts to eliminate the practice include; awareness creation and education of the public particularly in affected areas on the dangers and legal implications of the practice commemoration of International Day of zero tolerance for FGM. This allows for the development of initiatives to help address the practice.
Reply to paragraph 6 (f)
33.Trokosi is a practice that is criminalised by the amended Criminal and other offences Act, 1998. Since its abolishment, several efforts have been made by the Government, CSOs and NGOs to liberate victims of trokosi.
Reply to paragraph 7 (a)
34.Generally, every member of the family in Ghana plays a part in the socialisation and upbringing of the child. However, the legal and cultural framework places the duty of caregiving and provision of the needs of the child on biological parents. Section 15 of the Children’s Act makes it a punishable offence for a parent or guardian to neglect his or her responsibility towards a child. Additionally, people who have adopted a child or fostered a child are legally bound to provide maintenance and guidance for that child. Through the Child and Family Welfare Policy, 2015, the informal sector has been empowered to work hand in hand with the formal sector to help parents to better understand their roles and perform their responsibilities.
35.The following initiatives are pursued to ensure childcare in a family environment spearheaded by the DSW:
•Prevention – preventing the disintegration of families/ unnecessary separation of children through linkages with strategies that strengthen families, such as the LEAP programme, scholarships, food packages, access to national health insurance and other support programmes.
•Reintegration of separated children with their family – finding one or both parents or living relatives of children in institutional care who can create a caring and stable environment.
•Fostering – providing temporary or permanent foster families as an alternative, when kinship care cannot be arranged.
•Adoption – placing the child in an adoptive home, preferably with a Ghanaian family, when the possibility of a family reunion is exhausted.
36.Other measures include:
(a)Swift processing and handling of Family reconciliation cases by the DSW to save many marriages and families from breaking down;
(b)Organisation of social education programmes to raise awareness about the importance of the family and the need for family stability.
Reply to paragraph 7 (b)
37.In 2007, the Government of Ghana launched the Care Reform Initiative as part of the National Plan of Action for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children. This initiative aimed to reduce the reliance on institutional care and promote a spectrum of integrated family and community-based care services for children lacking appropriate parental support. Following the amendment of the Children’s Act in 2016 and the passage of the Foster Care Regulation, which was designed to establish family-based care options as alternatives to residential care, the Department of Social Welfare trained over 500 foster parents and approximately 200 children in foster care. In 2017, all ten regions developed a five-year roadmap for the closure of substandard residential homes for children. This plan ensures that, for children who cannot be placed in family or kinship care, a continuum of quality temporary, long-term, and permanent alternative care options is available.
38.The LEAP Programme has since 2021 received a significant improvement through the following:
•Improved Coverage through reassessment and targeting (expansion).
•Reassessment: The LEAP programme is currently reassessing beneficiaries to exit households that are no longer eligible. Through the reassessment, other households that are eligible but are not captured will be given opportunity.
•Expansion through targeting: Government has approved for increment of the LEAP coverage from 350,000 to 400,000 households before the end of the 2025. This will allow for more extreme poor and vulnerable households to receive the LEAP social grant.
•Linking Households to Livelihood Opportunities (Financial & Productive inclusion).
•Skills Training: Beneficiaries are being supported through training in livelihood activities such as shea butter production, soap making etc and small‑scale trading to help them generate additional income and gradually becoming self-sufficient.
•Adequacy of Grant Amount.
•Grant indexation: Steps are being taken to regularly adjust the grant amounts alongside inflation to ensure that the amount paid to beneficiaries do not lose its value so that vulnerable households are able to meet basic needs despite rising cost of living.
•Human Capital Development.
•Savings Culture: Households are encouraged and supported to adopt saving practices, helping them build financial resilience for future needs.
•Health: All LEAP beneficiaries are registered (free) onto the NHIS to access free health care.
Reply to paragraph 7 (c)
39.Sections 106 and 108 of the Children’s Act provides for the monitoring and inspection of alternative care settings to ensure they meet the required standards needed to operate. The Department of Social Welfare deploys Social Welfare Officers to carry out monitoring and quality assurance checks of care homes. Operators of care homes are required to comply with the regulatory framework for residential homes for children, 2018 developed by the government to guide the operations of the care homes. Periodic surveys are also conducted on care homes in the country to assess their operations for informed decision making.
Reply to paragraph 7 (d)
40.As criteria for achieving standard, all care homes are required to maintain monitoring records of each child and report monthly to the DSW. Any significant changes that occur are expected to be reported to the DSW within 24 hours. The SWIMS developed and managed by MoGCSP is accessible to caseworkers to enhance the reporting procedures. The DSW also regularly conducts onsite monitoring of the care homes to ensure compliance.
Reply to paragraph 7 (e)
41.The passage of the amended Children’s Act led to the establishment of the Central Adoption Authority (CAA) as the highest body to regulate adoptions in the country in a manner that promotes the well-being and best interest of the child. It has a secretariat, a technical committee and an adoption board to oversee the functions of the Authority. Adoptions in the country follow international standards. The CAA works closely with the DSW to regulate and monitor adoptions in the country. Post-adoption monitoring is done quarterly to provide psychosocial services and other assistance to both the adopted child and his or her new family.
Reply to paragraph 8
42.The Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006 (Act 715) established the National Council on Persons with Disabilities to guarantee the protection of the rights of PWDs including children with disabilities. Act 715 has been reviewed and there is currently the Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2024. The Act was reviewed purposely to conform with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability. To help prevent institutionalisation of children with disabilities, the proportion of the District Assembly Common Fund to families of children with disabilities support their educational needs and other social needs. They are also offered skills and training in various vocations to improve upon their livelihoods.
Reply to paragraph 9 (a)
43.Significant successes have been achieved in reducing illnesses and deaths affecting maternal and child health. Measures adopted include:
•Equipping service providers to be able to detect high-risk pregnancies and provide these clients with appropriate care including psychosocial support.
•Improving the capacity of health facilities for intrapartum foetal monitoring and newborn resuscitation.
•Establishing a system in all facilities for the screening of newborns for common genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease and hypothyroidism.
•Improving the skill set of health providers at all levels in Essential Newborn Care (ENC) including early initiation of exclusive breastfeeding.
•Improving the capacity of health facilities at appropriate levels to care for small, sick and at-risk newborns.
•Developing a standard design for newborn care units, including Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) rooms/areas which are baby friendly and have an adjoining mothers’ hostel.
•Building the capacity of Community Health Officers (CHOs) at CHPS zones to engage community members and advocate for facility and skill deliveries.
•Establishing a system that facilitates smooth referral and management of babies delivered at home for both health promotion and curative services.
•Strengthening the Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness (IMNCI) at community and facility level.
•Strengthening prevention and management of malnutrition at community and facility levels.
•Improving preventive and promotive services for children, including adequate equipment and supplies.
•Ensuring adequate supply of essential health and nutrition supplies, including paediatric formulations of medicines for treating childhood illness.
•Conducting death audits and implementation of the recommended actions.
44.A review session began in 2024 to renew the Ghana National Newborn Health Strategy and Action Plan (2019–2023), but due to inadequate funding, the review process has come to a halt.
Reply to paragraph 9 (b)
45.Ghana has a program dedicated to the health and development of adolescents. The aim is to provide comprehensive health services and accurate information to empower the adolescents to make informed decisions regarding their health and development. These efforts include the following:
•Building capacity of health providers to provide Adolescent and Youth Friendly Health Services (AYFHS).
•Increasing service delivery points for adolescent health care.
•Intensifying awareness and education on availability of Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for adolescent girls aged 9 to 14 years.
•Intensifying awareness and education on the use of contraception by sexually active adolescents.
•Increasing use of skilled antenatal childbirth and postnatal care among adolescents
•Strengthening adolescent and youth participation in Adolescent and Youth-Friendly Health Services.
•Implementing appropriate interventions to address attitude of health providers to adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) issues.
Reply to paragraph 9 (c)
46.The new Ghana Education Service (GES) curriculum encompasses various topics related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health services, aimed at empowering adolescents to prevent unwanted pregnancies, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), while also promoting healthy lifestyles. The Ghana Health Service and the Education Service work collaboratively to incorporate and update school curricula on preventing early pregnancies and STIs. Overall, Ghana’s implementation of comprehensive sexuality education has been largely successful.
Reply to paragraph 9 (d)
47.Ghana has several initiatives to test, treat and track people living with HIV/AIDS including children. These include the establishment of the National AIDS Control Programme under the GHS in addressing the menace and the Ghana AIDS Commission to oversee the operations of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.
48.The updated National HIV Care Guideline, 2019 include enhanced recommended HIV testing and linkage strategies, ARV drug regimens and formulations and diagnostics that are appropriate to the local setting.
49.Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (EMTCT) programme in Ghana is based on WHO promoted comprehensive strategic approach to the prevention of HIV infection in infants and young children.
50.This is achieved through:
•Continued supportive counselling services for all HIV positive mothers.
•Provision of Antiretroviral Therapy for adults, adolescents and children.
•Psychosocial care and community support.
•Outreach maternity services.
•Promoting early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding among HIV positive mothers and adolescent girls.
•Use of Child welfare clinics to reach and follow-up on care for HIV exposed newborns, including testing.
•Home visits by community health officers.
51.As a policy, all mothers accessing EMTCT service interventions are provided services free of charge.
Reply to paragraph 9 (e)
52.Government has taken a stern stand on alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and illicit drugs amongst children, and is quick to impose sanctions on any person found in conflict with the law. Ghana launched a National Alcohol Policy in 2017, which combines all fragmented laws that exist on the production, distribution, sale, advertisement, and consumption of the commodity.
53.The Pharmaceutical Society of Ghana (PSG) has taken the issue of abuse of opioids seriously. They issue statements on regular basis cautioning the public on the use of drugs being abused by children asking parents and guardians to pay attention to the actions and movements of their children. The Narcotic Control Commission (NACOC) also carry out public campaigns to stem the flow of drugs into the country, including public sensitization programmes targeted at the school going populace and communities.
Reply to paragraph 10
54.According to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, 92% of households in Ghana have access to improved drinking water sources, reflecting an increase from 86% in 2010. The Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Project, along with reforms at the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, has significantly enhanced water and sanitation conditions in rural areas. The ongoing WASH Programme aims to eliminate open defecation to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases and other epidemics, while also increasing public awareness of the importance of proper sanitation and hygiene practices. All newly constructed basic schools in the country are expected to be equipped with WASH facilities, and over 90% of basic schools currently have access to these resources. Additionally, a training manual has been integrated for School Health Education Project (SHEP) Coordinators to support the WASH programme effectively. The Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, with Development Partners, created the increased demand for household toilets through the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) programme. It focuses on behaviour change to eliminate open defecation by:
•Engaging communities to recognize the health risks associated with poor sanitation.
•Encouraging the construction and use of simple, locally-built toilets without relying on subsidies.
•Promoting community-wide efforts to achieve “open defecation free” status, thereby improving overall health and hygiene.
55.In response to sanitation challenges, National Sanitation Day which is observed on the first Saturday of every month has been re-introduced. It involves nationwide clean-up exercises to:
•Mobilize communities to participate in improving sanitation.
•Reduce unsanitary conditions that contribute to disease outbreaks.
•Foster a culture of cleanliness and environmental responsibility.
56.The integrated social services (ISS) initiative aims to reduce poverty and vulnerabilities among children and families by providing integrated social services through coordination among the various child protection sectors. The ISS as at December 2024 is operational in 180 districts.
Reply to paragraph 11
57.With support from development partners, Ghana has assessed the environment and child health, which will inform national strategies for addressing environmental health risks affecting children. This assessment examined children’s exposure to heavy metals, toxic materials, hazardous waste, air pollution, and climate change.
58.The new Ghana Education Service (GES) curriculum includes topics on climate change, which are being taught in basic and senior high schools to help tackle the challenges posed by this issue. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carries out regular educational programs in schools addressing various environmental issues, including climate change, sanitation, air and noise pollution, and land degradation.
Reply to paragraph 12 (a)
59.There have been immense improvements in quality and increase in the number of basic school infrastructure in the country. Government increased the Capitation Grant from GH¢4.50 to GH¢10.00 in 2017/18, and allocated a 73% increment in the grant beginning the 2025/26 academic year. The school feeding programme has also been enhanced by increasing beneficiary schools and feeding cost per child to improve enrolment and retention.
60.The Free Senior High School (FSHS) Policy launched in, 2017 is ongoing. The broad objectives of the policy were:
(a)Remove cost barriers through the absorption of fees approved by the Ghana Education Service Council;
(b)Expand physical school infrastructure and facilities to accommodate the expected increases in enrolment;
(c)Improve quality through the provision of core textbooks and supplementary readers, teachers rationalization and deployment;
(d)Improve equity and quality through implementation of 30 percent of places in elite schools for students from public junior high schools, and
(e)Prioritise programme to support and reform Technical, Vocational, Educational Training (TVET) institutions at the senior high school level and facilitate skills acquisition.
61.The government in its 2025 budget statement increased funding for the FSHS programme by uncapping the Ghana Education Trust Fund to provide sustainable funding for the programme.
Reply to paragraph 12 (b)
62.Concerning education monitoring, measures for effective supervision in private schools are implemented by the National Schools Inspectorate Authority (NaSIA). Policies, rules, and official documents are in place to benchmark both the public and private education sectors, and they include:
(a)Education Act 778 of 2008;
(b)Education Strategic Plan 2018–2030;
(c)Quality Indicators for Evaluating School Performance at the Pre-Tertiary Education Level in Ghana (National Inspectorate Board, Ministry of Education);
(d)Guidelines for School Inspection and Code of Conduct for School.
Reply to paragraph 12 (c)
63.The Inclusive Education policy is being implemented by the Ghana Education Service to ensure that all children including children with disabilities have access to quality education in an inclusive environment. The curriculum has been adapted to be more inclusive allowing children with disabilities to participate fully in the educational process. This includes use of assistive technologies and tailored learning materials and integrating special teaching methods into general teaching practices for teachers.
64.Efforts have also been made to ensure school buildings are accessible to students with physical disabilities through the construction of ramps and accessible WASH facilities.
Reply to paragraph 12 (d)
65.There have been improvements in quality and increase in the number of basic and secondary school infrastructure within the reporting period. Government is committed to replacing all dilapidated school buildings and constructing new ones. WASH facilities and access to electricity in schools have also increased since 2021.
66.Government’s effort in converting all colleges of education into university colleges has been successful including rollout of new teacher education curriculum. Applicants to these university colleges of education undergo strict recruitment process to ensure those qualified are of higher standards. There are also regular organization of in-service training programs to build on the competency of teachers in all circuits and districts.
Reply to paragraph 13 (a)
67.Systems have been enhanced to address issues affecting migrant children. These include the strengthening of legislation and institutions with mandates on human mobility and movements. Currently, there are various procedures and processes that help the Human Trafficking Secretariat of the MoGCSP, Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons (AHSTIP) Section of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), Migration Unit of the Ministry of the Interior and the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police, and other migration-focus agencies such as the Refugee Board to proactively handle issues affecting migrant children. The undermentioned are some achievements made:
(a)The establishment of focal units and desks in the various law enforcement agencies and the Attorney General’s office to handle issues affecting migrant children.
(b)Printing and dissemination of Information, Education and Communication materials mobility and movements of children.
(c)Collaboration between GIS and the Ghana Refugee Board (GRB) to implement the legal aspects of local integration option of durable solutions for refugee children.
(d)Specialized training program on child trafficking, migration, and child exploitation for shelter staff, law enforcement officials, judges, attorneys, and stakeholders to build their capacities to address issues affecting migrant children.
(e)Commemoration of The World Day Against Human/Child Trafficking with major activities.
(f)Targeting of community leaders and traditional authorities through grand durbars and workshops to educate them on the issues of child migration and its effects on their development.
(g)Organisation of Community Dialogues to intensify advocacy and improve preventive mechanisms in areas of child migration, child labour, child trafficking, child protection, and gender-based violence and social protection.
(h)Plans to establish shelters and victim support unit to cater for the needs of unaccompanied children, stateless and refugee.
Reply to paragraph 13 (b)
68.The Ministry of Jobs, Employment and Labour Relations, in collaboration with appropriate partners, executed the National Plan of Action Phase II to eradicate the most severe forms of child labour from 2017 to 2021. The NPA II advocated for the implementation of an inclusive and comprehensive strategy aimed at establishing child labour-free zones, with a particular emphasis on community development. Protocols and standards have been established to provide comprehensive, well-coordinated, uniform, and productive interventions that would result in the elimination of child labour and the complete development of children in Ghana. After the successful rollout of NPA II, a new plan of action known as the Ghana Accelerated Plan of Action to Eliminate Child Labour (2023–2027) has been launched to expedite measures to curb child labour in the country.
Reply to paragraph 13 (c)
69.The government, through the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP), is currently developing a National Plan of Action on commercial sexual exploitation. UNICEF Ghana has supported the MoGCSP in conducting research to better understand the phenomenon of sexual exploitation, which will inform measures to be included in the National Plan of Action. The report from this study is pending validation and dissemination by the Research Statistics and Information Management (RSIM) Directorate. Labor Inspectors conduct inspections that sometimes uncover issues related to commercial sexual exploitation, which are addressed accordingly. Initiatives include ongoing engagement with young people, particularly young women and girls, to raise awareness about the effects and consequences of sexual exploitation. Various partners also conduct sensitization efforts and work on the withdrawal of affected children, especially in coastal areas. Additionally, training sessions on the sexual exploitation of children have been organized for security officials across the country. Media personalities have also received training to help educate and advocate on related issues, further promoting awareness and understanding of the topic.
Reply to paragraph 13 (d)
70.The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP), through the Department of Social Welfare (DSW), periodically conducts surveys to gather data on street‑connected children in urban areas. This effort helps identify children involved in street’s and develop measures to address the situation. In 2011, it was reported that about 60,000 children were engaged in streetism. A 2017 data collection revealed 4,853 street children in Accra, with approximately 4,165 of them of school-going age. The Ministry successfully reintegrated around 400 of these children back into their families and enrolled them in school.
71.In 2018, the initiative “Operation Get Off the Street Now for a Better Life” was launched to reduce streetism. This program targets street individuals, including those with mental health issues, beggars, the destitute, persons with disabilities, head porters (kayayei), displaced persons, orphans, and delinquents. Its goal is to provide better alternatives to street life and reintegrate these individuals into families and communities. However, despite aiming to rescue about 10,000 people annually, the initiative has faced challenges due to inadequate funding, resulting in only a few street children benefiting.
72.In June 2022, MoGCSP partnered with the Embassy of Niger and the Ghana Immigration Service to repatriate 1,320 Nigeriens, including children living on the streets, to improve their living conditions.
73.In August 2024, the MoGCSP and the Department of Social Welfare, with support from Catholic Relief Services (CRS), launched a five-year strategic plan for street-connected children and young persons (2024–2028). This plan aims to promote and protect the rights of these children comprehensively and collaboratively, ensuring they have access to opportunities that alleviate their challenges. Additionally, Ghana observes the International Day for Street Children annually, providing a platform for the Ministry to collaborate with civil society organizations (CSOs) and NGOs to reach out to street-connected children and their families.
Reply to paragraph 13 (e)
74.Ghana is actively enforcing the Human Trafficking Act of 2005 and the Human Trafficking Prohibition Regulations of 2015 (LI 2219) to address issues related to child trafficking and to penalize offenders. The Anti-Human Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons (AHSTIP) Section of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) is responsible for implementing these laws as part of the National Plan of Action for the Elimination of Human Trafficking, which focuses on Prevention, Protection, Prosecution, and Partnership. To enhance victim identification and the prosecution of perpetrators, over 1,200 law enforcement officers have been trained on human trafficking, victim identification, and docket building from 2020 to 2024. Additionally, 100 judges from Circuit and District courts have received training on human trafficking and how to create courtroom environments that minimize victim traumatization. The Human Trafficking Secretariat of the MoGCSP also prepares and submits periodic Trafficking in Persons reports compiling data on child trafficking to inform decision-making and reporting.
Reply to paragraph 14
75.To better protect the rights of children in contact with the law, specialized court facilities for children have been established across the country. These child-friendly courts include waiting rooms designed for children, Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems for monitoring, play materials, and libraries stocked with educational resources on child protection. Additionally, a standard operating procedure has been developed for judges and court staff to manage cases effectively. Judges and court personnel also receive child‑sensitive training to ensure they can handle cases involving children appropriately.
76.The treatment for a juvenile convicted of a criminal offence takes various forms depending on the nature of the offence:
(a)Committal to a correctional institution for a period between six to eighteen months or three years for serious offences such as murder and defilement;
(b)Diversion from institutionalisation by release on probation, restitution or payment of compensation etc., as under section 26 of the Juvenile Justice Act. When released on probation the juvenile offender is supervised by a Probation Officer/Social Worker. The freedom of movement of the probationer (child) is restricted and the child is assisted to reform within the home environment;
(c)The content of the probation order is enforced to the letter provided it is in the best interest of the child;
(d)Order to release to a fit person.
77.Under the Criminal Procedure Code of 1960 and the Juvenile Justice Act, no juvenile or young offender can be sentenced to life imprisonment. Instead, all crimes committed by juveniles are punishable by a maximum of three years in a reformatory school or institution, as reinforced by the Juvenile Justice Act.
Part II
Reply to paragraph 15 (a)
78.The Children’s Bill, 2025 – This is an amendment to the Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560) to consolidate the law relating to children, provide for the rights of the child, maintenance, foster care and adoption of the child and regulate the employment of children and apprenticeship.
79.Child Justice Administration Bill, 2025 – This is an amendment to the Juvenile Justice Act, 2003 (Act 653) to provide a child justice administration system, to protect the rights of children who conflict with the law, to provide for young offenders and to ensure the protection of child victims and child witnesses of crime and for related matters.
80.Social Protection Bill, 2025 – The Bill is expected to promote social inclusion by ensuring equal access to essential support systems, thereby reducing societal disparities.
81.Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2025 – This bill resulted from the review of the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006 (Act 715). The purpose of the review was to align the Act with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and incorporate the SDGs into the Act.
82.The Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 2020 (Act 1027) – This Act replaced the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1965 (Act 301) to provide for the registration of births and deaths in Ghana.
83.Cyber Security Act, 2020 (Act 1038).
84.Pre-Tertiary Education Act, 2020 (Act 1049).
85.Affirmative Action Act, 2024 – The Act seeks to promote the participation of women in public and private life empowering them for their full participation in national development.
Reply to paragraph 15 (b)
86.Child Online Protection (COP) Division under the Cyber Security Authority – Oversees the development and implementation of policies and programmes aimed at protecting children online.
Reply to paragraph 15 (c)
87.The National Health Policy, 2020 – This policy which aligns with several global, continental and regional policy frameworks has the following broad objectives:
(a)To strengthen the healthcare delivery system to be resilient;
(b)To encourage the adoption of healthy lifestyles;
(c)To improve the physical environment;
(d)To improve the socio-economic status of the population;
(e)To ensure sustainable financing for health.
88.National Food Safety Policy, 2022 – The overall goal of the policy is to build a resilient system that assures safe and suitable food for all consumers. It covers the laws, institutions, organizations and systems dealing with food related issues and how they interact to ensure national food safety. The policy also recognizes the development objectives of Ghana as well as international guidelines and conventions which Ghana has ratified.
89.National Medical Oxygen Policy, 2023 – The policy seeks to establish the framework for improving medical oxygen production, distribution, access, transport, handling, storage and use. It will help establish an enabling environment, led by the Ministry of Health, for the planning, production, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of effective and efficient medical oxygen production and delivery systems at all levels of the health sector, both public and private.
90.National Child Online Protection Framework, 2024.
91.Protocols and Guidelines for Establishing Child Labour Free Zones (CLFZs), 2023 (revised version).
92.Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAHN) Strategic Plan (2020–2025).
93.Ghana Accelerated Action Plan Against Child Labour (2023–2027).
94.Strategic Action Plan for the National Medical Oxygen Policy – (2023–2027).
95.National Strategy for Addressing Adolescent Pregnancy (2024–2029).
Reply to paragraph 15 (d)
96.Budapest Convention on Cyber Crimes by the Council of Europe – The Convention was ratified on 1st April, 2019.
97.Second Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrimes – The Convention was ratified on 28th June, 2023.
Part III
Reply to paragraph 16
Table 1
Budget allocations to Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
|
Goods and services |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Approved |
Approved |
Approved |
Approved |
|
|
o/w MoGCSoP Headquarters and Agencies |
2 694 420.00 |
1 740 758.00 |
3 432 900.00 |
7 148 604.00 |
|
o/w Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty |
197 534 538.00 |
197 535 000.00 |
428 870 802.00 |
720 000 000.00 |
|
o/w School Feeding Programme |
488 800 000.00 |
881 000 000.00 |
1 041 532 448.00 |
1 393 659 200.00 |
|
o/w Domestic Violence Fund |
1 500 000.00 |
1 440 000.00 |
1 000 000.00 |
2 700 000.00 |
|
o/w Child/ Human Trafficking Fund |
1 000 000.00 |
1 440 000.00 |
1 000 000.00 |
2 140 739.00 |
|
Total |
691 528 958.00 |
1 083 155 758.00 |
1 475 836 150.00 |
2 125 648 543.00 |
Reply to paragraph 17
Table 2
Cases of non-maintenance and child abuse reported to DOVVSU
|
Year |
Non Maintenance |
Exposing Child To Harm |
||||
|
Male |
Female |
Total |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
|
2020 |
743 |
805 |
1 548 |
10 |
6 |
16 |
|
2021 |
697 |
740 |
1 437 |
8 |
5 |
13 |
|
2022 |
717 |
890 |
1 607 |
12 |
16 |
28 |
|
2023 |
812 |
1 025 |
1 837 |
11 |
13 |
24 |
Source: DOVVSU, 2024.
Table 3
Cases of sexual abuse reported to DOVVSU
|
Offence |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
||||||||
|
Male |
Female |
Total |
Male |
Female |
Total |
Male |
Female |
Total |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
|
Defilement |
0 |
1 047 |
1 047 |
0 |
984 |
984 |
0 |
786 |
786 |
0 |
834 |
834 |
|
Incest |
12 |
31 |
43 |
8 |
11 |
19 |
7 |
20 |
27 |
17 |
32 |
49 |
|
Attempted Defilement |
0 |
25 |
25 |
0 |
20 |
20 |
0 |
9 |
9 |
0 |
15 |
15 |
|
Unnatural Carnal Knowledge |
30 |
20 |
50 |
12 |
8 |
20 |
11 |
13 |
24 |
15 |
26 |
41 |
Source: DOVVSU , 2024.
Table 4
Child abuse cases handled by courts
|
Region |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Ahafo |
6 |
9 |
26 |
14 |
|
Ashanti |
32 |
74 |
57 |
18 |
|
Bono |
6 |
25 |
17 |
2 |
|
Bono East |
5 |
7 |
6 |
- |
|
Central |
51 |
89 |
99 |
40 |
|
Eastern |
96 |
105 |
118 |
36 |
|
Greater Accra |
74 |
201 |
109 |
107 |
|
North East |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Northern |
- |
- |
19 |
- |
|
Oti |
5 |
7 |
7 |
1 |
|
Savannah |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Upper East |
8 |
21 |
8 |
9 |
|
Upper West |
- |
- |
4 |
4 |
|
Volta |
31 |
98 |
132 |
30 |
|
Western |
22 |
51 |
40 |
28 |
|
Western North |
- |
11 |
8 |
- |
|
National |
336 |
698 |
650 |
289 |
Source: Judicial Service of Ghana.
Table 5
Cases of adolescent pregnancy
|
Cases of Adolescent Pregnancy from DHIMS 2, 2021 – 2024. |
||||||||
|
Regions |
2021 (10 – 14) |
2021 (15 – 19) |
2022 (10 – 14) |
2022 (15 – 19) |
2023 (10 – 14) |
2023 (15 – 19) |
2024 (10 – 14) |
2024 (15 – 19) |
|
Ghana |
3 171 |
106 420 |
2 831 |
100 047 |
2 563 |
90 499 |
2 301 |
84 666 |
|
Ahafo |
81 |
2 447 |
61 |
2 004 |
47 |
1 530 |
35 |
1 406 |
|
Ashanti |
530 |
16 681 |
497 |
15 857 |
439 |
14 532 |
428 |
13 577 |
|
Bono |
145 |
4 011 |
128 |
4 058 |
145 |
3 492 |
108 |
108 |
|
Bono East |
187 |
5 612 |
167 |
5 338 |
187 |
4 715 |
195 |
195 |
|
Central |
303 |
9 984 |
297 |
9 451 |
224 |
8 315 |
212 |
212 |
|
Eastern |
378 |
10 492 |
343 |
10 040 |
323 |
8 916 |
275 |
275 |
|
Greater Accra |
237 |
8 665 |
223 |
8 225 |
234 |
7 546 |
204 |
6 912 |
|
North East |
108 |
3 876 |
100 |
3 851 |
67 |
3 844 |
63 |
3 580 |
|
Northern |
198 |
9 148 |
125 |
8 597 |
100 |
8 330 |
98 |
7 882 |
|
Oti |
96 |
3 909 |
109 |
3 635 |
101 |
3 179 |
81 |
2 914 |
|
Savannah |
132 |
3 484 |
82 |
3 193 |
97 |
3 256 |
102 |
3 223 |
|
Upper East |
113 |
6 521 |
101 |
5 801 |
70 |
5 251 |
62 |
4 659 |
|
Upper West |
85 |
3 575 |
52 |
2 887 |
43 |
2 586 |
38 |
2 404 |
|
Volta |
237 |
6 057 |
201 |
5 838 |
182 |
5 107 |
144 |
4 866 |
|
Western |
259 |
8 297 |
254 |
8 133 |
203 |
7 262 |
192 |
6 900 |
|
Western North |
82 |
3 661 |
91 |
3 139 |
101 |
2 638 |
64 |
2 350 |
Table 6
Statistics on trafficked children
|
Year |
Sex |
||
|
Male |
Female |
Both sexes |
|
|
2020 |
407 |
417 |
824 |
|
2021 |
511 |
660 |
1 171 |
|
2022 |
431 |
574 |
1 005 |
|
2023 |
577 |
97 |
674 |
|
2024 |
184 |
105 |
289 |
Source: HTS, MoGCSP .
Table 7
Statistics on prosecutions of cases on trafficked children
|
Year |
No. of Investigations |
Total no. of Prosecutions |
Conviction gains with HT Act |
Children ’ s Act |
Other related offences |
|
2021 |
108 |
22 |
13 |
3 |
|
|
2022 |
133 |
20 |
11 |
1 |
1 |
|
2023 |
109 |
28 |
21 |
18 |
2 |
|
2024 |
273 |
51 |
13 |
||
|
Total |
623 |
121 |
58 |
19 |
6 |
Source: HTS, MoGCSP .
Reply to paragraph 18
98.Data was not available at the time of submission of this report.
Table 8
Number of Residential Homes for Children by Region
|
Regions |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Ashanti |
21 |
19 |
21 |
|
Brong Ahafo |
10 |
8 |
10 |
|
Central |
19 |
13 |
13 |
|
Eastern |
12 |
16 |
12 |
|
Greater Accra |
28 |
42 |
40 |
|
Northern |
8 |
8 |
9 |
|
Upper West |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Upper East |
8 |
9 |
8 |
|
Volta |
16 |
17 |
15 |
|
Western |
6 |
8 |
8 |
|
Total (National) |
131 |
143 |
139 |
Source: DSW, 2021.
Table 9
Number of Children in Residential Homes for Children by Region
|
Regions |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Ashanti |
688 |
605 |
617 |
|
Brong Ahafo |
189 |
255 |
189 |
|
Central |
626 |
218 |
429 |
|
Eastern |
319 |
356 |
320 |
|
Greater Accra |
1 130 |
1 185 |
1 185 |
|
Northern |
207 |
183 |
288 |
|
Upper East |
117 |
146 |
159 |
|
Upper West |
58 |
50 |
73 |
|
Volta |
269 |
554 |
233 |
|
Western |
157 |
137 |
130 |
|
Total (National) |
3 760 |
3 689 |
3 623 |
Source: DSW, 2021.
Table 10
Number of children available for adoption
|
Sex |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Male |
1 |
6 |
2 |
6 |
|
Female |
1 |
5 |
8 |
7 |
|
Total |
2 |
11 |
10 |
13 |
Source: DSW, 2025.
Reply to paragraph 19
99.Data was not available at the time of submission of this report.
Reply to paragraph 20
100.Data was not available at the time of submission of this report.
Reply to paragraph 21
Integration of a Children’s Rights-Based Approach in Achieving the SDGs in Ghana
101.The integration of children’s rights is guided by a legislative and policy framework that reflects CRC principles, including the Children’s Act (1998), the Juvenile Justice Act (2003), and national policies such as the Child and Family Welfare Policy and the Justice for Children Policy. These frameworks align with SDG indicators, emphasizing the strengthening of child protection systems to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
102.Although Ghana does not have a comprehensive national strategy for children, most child-related policies are accompanied by action plans that reflect SDG priority goals. Key interventions include:
•Reducing Poverty (SDG 1): Through the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) program.
•Ensuring Health and Well-Being (SDG 3): Primarily through the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) and the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
•Promoting Quality Education (SDG 4): Via the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education (FCUBE) and the Free Senior High School Policy (FSHS).
103.Ghana’s medium-term national development framework, the Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies (2022–2025), explicitly aligns with the SDGs and integrates child rights perspectives in priority areas such as quality education, health and nutrition, child protection, and poverty reduction.
104.Significant strides have been made in incorporating children’s voices into decision‑making processes through mechanisms like Children’s Parliament, Child Rights Clubs in schools, and Student Representative Councils. For instance, children were directly involved in regional consultations while preparing the State Party report to the CRC Committee, reinforcing Article 12 of the CRC, which emphasizes children’s right to be heard. These platforms allow children to express their views on issues affecting them and contribute to shaping policies and programs. Despite these gains, socio-cultural barriers persist. Many still view children as “to be seen and not heard,” and out-of-school or street-connected children often lack access to these platforms for participation. Addressing these barriers is essential for ensuring that all children can engage meaningfully in decisions that impact their lives.
Data Collection and Monitoring
105.Ghana has made significant strides in collecting data and monitoring children’s rights through various sources, including the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), UNICEF, and other development partners. Key surveys such as the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS), the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), and the Child Protection Management Information Systems (CPMIS) developed by the MoGCSP provide essential data on children’s health, education, nutrition, and protection.
106.These datasets are crucial for tracking progress on child-related Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets and identifying gaps among different population groups for real-time reporting. They have helped expand the understanding of issues such as child labor, child marriage, substance abuse, and child health, all of which are central to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and SDG targets. Additionally, Ghana conducts situational analyses, such as the 2018 analysis by MoGCSP and UNICEF, to assess child well-being and identify emerging threats, including online harm and violence. However, there is still room for improvement in data integration across sectors and consistency in reporting.
Promotion of CRC and Optional Protocols
107.Through various laws and policies, Ghana has made efforts to align its legal and institutional frameworks with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and its Optional Protocols. The Children’s Act (1998) and the Juvenile Justice Act (2003) incorporate many principles of the CRC, while the Human Trafficking Act (2005) and the Domestic Violence Act (2007) address concerns highlighted in the Optional Protocols.
108.Training and sensitization initiatives for law enforcement, social workers, and the judiciary on children’s rights have increased, with support from organizations such as UNICEF, ILO, and IOM. Institutions like the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU), and the Department of Social Welfare (DSW) manage complaints, conduct investigations, and oversee child protection case management.
109.However, a dedicated national budget for CRC implementation is lacking, leading many initiatives to rely on project-based or donor funding. Ghana’s approach to integrating children’s rights into its SDG agenda reflects a growing commitment to uphold the CRC and its Optional Protocols. While institutional mechanisms, participatory platforms, and targeted policies lay a strong foundation for progress, challenges remain in resourcing, coordination, and ensuring inclusive participation, particularly for the most vulnerable groups. Establishing a comprehensive national strategy for children, improving budget allocations, and strengthening monitoring systems will be crucial for sustained impact.
Reply to paragraph 22
Table 11
Net Enrolment Ratios at the Kindergarten, Primary and JHS levels
|
Year |
NER at Kindergarten |
NER at Primary |
NER at JHS |
|
2019/20 |
71.4 |
80.3 |
45.8 |
|
2020/21 |
89.3 |
77.5 |
51.9 |
|
2021/22 |
85.2 |
92.9 |
73.2 |
|
2022/23 |
65.2 |
79.4 |
58.7 |
Source: MoE , (EMIS).
Table 12
Completion rates at the Kindergarten, Primary and JHS levels
|
Year |
Kindergarten |
Primary |
JHS |
|
2019/20 |
99.2 |
107.5 |
77.5 |
|
2020/21 |
98.2 |
108.7 |
83.1 |
|
2021/22 |
113.1 |
107 |
84.1 |
|
2022/23 |
112.7 |
101.5 |
94 |
Source: MoE , ( EMIS ).
Table 13
Gender Parity Index at the Kindergarten, Primary and JHS levels
|
Year |
Kindergarten |
Primary |
JHS |
|
2019/20 |
1.03 |
1.02 |
1.02 |
|
2020/21 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
2021/22 |
0.99 |
0.99 |
1.02 |
|
2022/23 |
0.98 |
1 |
1.03 |
Source: MoE , (EMIS).
Table 14
NER, Completion rates and GPI at the SHS levels
|
Year |
Net Enrolment Ratio |
Completion rate |
Gender Parity Index |
|
2019/20 |
63.2 |
64.1 |
0.96 |
|
2020/21 |
34.5 |
68.6 |
1 |
|
2021/22 |
40 |
68.3 |
1.05 |
|
2022/23 |
41.2 |
58.7 |
1.11 |
Source: MoE , (EMIS), 2024.
Table 15
Rates of maternal, neo-natal, infant and under-five mortalities
|
Year |
Maternal mortality |
Neo-natal mortality |
Infant mortality |
Under-five mortality |
|
2020 |
109.2 |
7.4 |
7.6 |
9.8 |
|
2021 |
119.5 |
7.6 |
7.8 |
10.7 |
|
2022 |
102.6 |
6.5 |
7.4 |
9.8 |
|
2023 |
109.3 |
5.1 |
8.1 |
10.9 |
Source: GHS, 2024.
Table 16
Rates of 4 or more ante-natal care visits (ANC4+), skilled birth attendance, and post-natal care (PNC)
|
Year |
ANC4+ |
Skilled delivery |
PNC |
|
2020 |
55.9 |
58.7 |
74.0 |
|
2021 |
62.1 |
63.5 |
82.1 |
|
2022 |
61.8 |
62.6 |
84.7 |
|
2023 |
64.3 |
60.6 |
87.1 |
Source: GHS, 2024.
Reply to paragraph 23
110.Ghana recognizes several key areas affecting children as national priorities, reflecting the government’s commitment to advancing children’s rights and addressing the multifaceted challenges they face. The priority areas include:
•Child Protection: Ensuring the safety and well-being of children from abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation.
•Education: Enhancing access to quality education for all children, particularly marginalized groups.
•Health and Nutrition: Improving children’s health outcomes and addressing malnutrition through comprehensive healthcare services.
•Child Labour: Combating child labour and promoting safe environments for children to learn and grow.
•Child Trafficking: Addressing the issues of child trafficking and exploitation through robust legal frameworks and support systems.
•Mental Health: Promoting mental health awareness and support services for children affected by trauma or socio-economic challenges.
•Digital Environment: Promoting and protecting the rights of children online through law enforcement and initiatives to address child online abuse.
•Climate change resilience programs targeting children in vulnerable zones.
111.These areas are essential for creating a supportive environment that fosters the rights and development of children in Ghana.