MWCA initiates programme to encourage adoption and fosterage

Kumasi, Dec 19, GNA - The Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs (MWCA) is initiating a programme to encourage individuals and civil society to embrace the adoption and fosterage system. Mr Peter Eduful, Ashanti Regional Co-ordinator for the Ghana National Commission on Children (GNCC), said the initiative was aimed at solving the problem of street children and to reduce poverty among the people.
He was speaking at a non-governmental organisation (NGOs) forum on adoption and fosterage in Kumasi on Friday.
The forum, which formed part of efforts to collate and document views of the general public on the processes and procedures involved in adoption and fosterage in the country, was organised by the GNCC. Civil society groups, NGOs, heads of children and women related agencies and other identifiable groups attended the forum.
Mr Eduful said the problem of streetism and child labour was of great concern to the ministry and attributed the problems to the breakdown of the extended family system.
Mr Anthony Agyeman, Kumasi Metro Director of the Department of Social Welfare, urged prospective child adopters to endeavour to understand the procedures involved.
He said process had a many implications that required clear and proper understanding on the part of the applicant.