Ghana's children: A money-making machine

Recent social media posts from Ghana highlight the problem of an increased population and parents making babies in numbers, knowing they can not provide for them. The high birthrate in Africa is the result of tradition, lack of education, side-chicks and failed social systems.

The only reliable social system for Africans is a large number of their own children. In Ghana, 90% of children in children's homes have parents; only 10% are real orphans. To adopt a child in Ghana, whether local or foreign, adoption needs $ 110 for the booklet „Inter-country adoption application, Form 19, Regulations 49(5), MoGCSP/CAA and at the end of a successful process, payment of $ 2200.

The respective Ministry wants to know: Have you ever had persistent coughs? Been in contact with someone with a chronic cough? Had asthma, tuberculosis, pneumonia or any other chest complaint? Had high blood pressure? Had recurrent abdominal pain, indigestion or stomach complaints? Had chronic diarrhoea, weight loss, night sweats, infections or swollen glands? Had recurrent bone, joints, jaundice, anaemia, rheumatism or pneumatic fever? Had excessive passage of urine, especially at night, excessive drinking and eating associated with weight loss? Had recurrent headaches, convulsions, fits, sudden loss of consciousness, mental or nervous illness, difficulty sleeping? Have you ever been hospitalised? Have you ever been involved in an accident or suffered major injuries? Are you taking drugs regularly? Do you smoke? Do you drink alcohol? Does anyone in your family have the following diseases: Hypertension, Tuberculosis, Asthma, Sickle Cell Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Peptic Ulcer, Recurrent Headache? Do you have any record of vaccination? Status of your teeth, Nervous system, dermatological status, Musculoskeletal system, immunisation status, Urin R/E, Stool R/E, Chest X-Ray, HIV, HsSAg. HbH (antibody & IGM). Costs involved must be paid for by the person/couple who wants to adopt a child.

In Germany: X-Ray of the chest (only in Hamburg, drug test of the hair!). All costs are paid for by the state. Each adoptive parent/couple gets monthly payments and a pension contribution to care for the adopted or foster child. More than 90% of all children in German children's homes have parents and are not available for adoption, but for foster care.

Children's homes in Ghana are the source of income for many involved. Donations from well-wishers help homeowners to make an income for themselves. Home owners, along with the respective authorities, let people fill in the above-mentioned form, wasting their time without giving their children to safe and good hands. Many couples along the way realise the reluctance of the authorities to help the children and give up due to the frustrating process. Only a few lucky ones make it abroad in the end or find good homes in the country.

While for Ghana's authority, it is important to establish how often someone uses the toilet at night or has all their teeth well in place and healthy, German authorities care for the welfare of the children. If Ghana uses the same system as Germany, newborns thrown into toilets and gutters will visit advanced universities and become great entrepreneurs.