Govt strengthens adoption services through national training programme

Efforts to improve adoption services and reduce delays in adoption cases received a boost as the Central Adoption Authority (CAA), under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), organised a three-day Training of Trainers workshop for Regional Directors of the Department of Social Welfare and Adoption Schedule Officers nationwide.

The workshop, held in the Ashanti Region last week, focused on the effective implementation of the Adoption Training Manual 2022.

It aimed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to train prospective adoptive parents while promoting consistency and professionalism in adoption practices across the country.

A key focus of the programme was addressing challenges that contribute to delays in adoption processes. Participants were taken through the guidelines, procedures, and tools outlined in the manual to strengthen compliance with Ghana's adoption laws and regulations and ensure a more efficient adoption system.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Director of General Administration, Mr Ebenezer Charway, praised the dedication of social welfare officers and regional directors in protecting vulnerable children and supporting families through adoption services.

He described the Adoption Training Manual as a vital resource designed to standardise adoption procedures nationwide, improve professional competence, and enhance consistency in decision-making while ensuring adherence to both national and international standards.

Mr Charway reaffirmed the government's commitment to advancing policies and programmes that align with the Children's Act, the Adoption Regulations, and the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.

He highlighted the importance of timely assessments, accurate documentation, quality reporting, and sustained stakeholder engagement. He encouraged participants to actively engage in the training and apply the lessons learned to improve service delivery.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Office of the Head of the Local Government Service, Mr Collins Amoako Ofori-Atta stressed the need for coordinated efforts at the national, regional, and district levels to ensure the successful implementation of the Adoption Training Manual.

He urged participants to share the knowledge gained with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to strengthen adoption services throughout the country.

The Head of the Central Adoption Authority, Mr Stephen Tikai Dombo, explained that the manual was developed to guide the training of prospective adoptive parents whose applications have been approved by the Technical Committee.

According to him, the workshop would deepen participants' understanding of adoption regulations, policies, and procedures while reinforcing professionalism in adoption-related work.

The Adoption Training Manual supports the implementation of the Adoption Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2360), and serves as a key resource for preparing prospective adoptive parents for the adoption process.