The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection remain committed to implementing 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.
The Director of General Administration at the ministry, Mr Ebenezer Charway, said this at a three-day Training of Trainers Workshop on the Adoption Training Manual 2022 for Regional Directors of the Department of Social Welfare and Adoption Schedule Officers from across the country.
He commended the commitment of Regional Directors and adoption officers in protecting vulnerable children and supporting families through adoption services.
He described the Adoption Training Manual as an important tool for standardising adoption practices across the country.
According to him, the manual would improve professional competence, promote consistency in decision-making and ensure compliance with national laws and international standards.
Mr Charway urged officers to maintain high standards in assessments, documentation, reporting and stakeholder engagement to improve adoption service delivery.
He also encouraged participants to actively engage with the training materials and contribute to discussions during the workshop.
In a statement delivered on behalf of the Head of the Local Government Service, Mr Collins Amoako Ofori-Atta said effective implementation of the Adoption Training Manual would require careful planning, strong collaboration, and coordination among national, regional and district-level institutions.
He called on participants to embrace the training and share the knowledge gained with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to strengthen adoption services across the regions.
The Head of the Central Adoption Authority, Mr Stephen Tikai Dombo, said the manual was developed to guide the training of prospective adoptive parents whose applications have been approved by the Technical Committee.
He explained that the manual provides the required content and materials for use by the Central Adoption Authority, the Department of Social Welfare and adoption agencies when conducting adoption training programmes.
Mr Dombo added that the workshop would deepen participants’ understanding of adoption regulations, policies, procedures and the Adoption Training Manual while promoting professionalism in adoption-related work.
The Adoption Training Manual supports the implementation of the Adoption Regulations, 2018 (L.I. 2360) and serves as a guide for training prospective adoptive parents.
Priscilla Osei-Wusu Nimako, ISD
