Ghana orphan slideshow
Download as PPTX, PDF1 like1,106 views
There are an estimated 1.1 million orphans in Ghana, with many more vulnerable children who have at least one living parent. About 4,500 orphans live in orphanages, which face challenges but may provide better access to education, nutrition, and health than living with households. Ghana has made progress in helping caregivers, but more needs to be done as they struggle to afford health insurance, adequate meals, school supplies, and other basic needs for the children in their care.
Ghana orphan slideshow
- 1. There are estimated to be at least 1.1 million orphans in Ghana. many more are vulnerable to the same circumstances orphans face even though they may still, for the time being, have at least one of their parents alive.
- 2. About 4,500 of these children are in orphanages. Orphanages face many challenges, but a descriptive study on orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in the Central region of Ghana indicates that the many OVC who live in households are less likely to have access to education, nutrition and health than those children living in orphanages.
- 3. Ghana has made strides to help those who care for these children, but more progress remains to be made. What are the challenges these caregivers face and what can be done to help them?
- 4. The introduction of the national health insurance scheme in 2004 has afforded many households ready access to health care services. Under the current scheme, children under age 18 in a household are covered by the health insurance once parents or guardians subscribe to the scheme. However many caregivers are not registered because they cannot afford the premium and therefore the children living with them are also not covered.
- 5. “We don’t have the money to go and register for the health insurance. When the children get sick, I wait till it gets really serious before I go to borrow money to send them to the hospital.” – Female caregiver living with 4 children.
- 6. Most caregivers were able to afford 3 meals a day for their children. However, many of them alluded to the inadequacy of the meals given and its lack of nutritional value.
- 7. “Every day the children eat 3 times. It’s not satisfying though but they seem to understand my situation. I know that if they get more than they have now, they would eat.” – Female household head living with 3 children
- 8. Government’s provision of free compulsory basic education enabled caregivers to enroll their wards in school. However being in school requires money for transportation, uniforms, notebooks, food, and a host of other items that are not free. Caregivers say that providing these extras for school are a major difficulty.
- 9. “Yes, they are in school. However I had to borrow money to buy their books, bags and uniforms. I am yet to repay that loan.” Female caregiver of 2 vulnerable children
- 11. Interventions that build the capacity of caregivers can provide long lasting income to sustain households with OVC
- 12. OVC --whether in orphanage or households-- need more support to access the full benefits of government's Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education and the National Health Insurance Scheme
- 13. Involving all stakeholders and policy makers in setting country specific research agenda is vital in influencing policy through research.
- 14. Produced by the Research and Development Division, Ghana Health ServiceIn collaboration with the ABBA RPCOther members of the ABBA RPC are : The ABBA RPC is generously funded by DfIDPhotos by Kwadwo Anakwah, Ato Selby, Kelly Hallman
Editor's Notes
- #2: There are estimated to be at least 1.1 million orphans in Ghana. many more are vulnerable to the same circumstances orphans face even though they may still, for the time being, have at least one of their parents alive. Stat(http://www.childinfo.org/hiv_aids_orphanestimates.php (orphan being one who has lost at least one parent)
- #3: About 4,500 of these children are in orphanages (Social Welfare Department 2009). Orphanages face many challenges, but a descriptive study on orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in the Central region of Ghana indicates that the many OVC who live in households are less likely to have access to education, nutrition and health than those children living in orphanages.
- #4: Ghana has made strides to help those who care for these children, but more progress remains to be made. What are the challenges these caregivers face and what can be done to help them?
- #5: Health – The introduction of the national health insurance scheme in 2004 has afforded many households ready access to health care services. Under the current scheme, children under age 18 in a household are covered by the health insurance once parents or guardians subscribe to the scheme. However many caregivers are not registered because they cannot afford the premium and therefore the children living with them are also not covered.
- #6: “We don’t have the money to go and register for the health insurance. When the children get sick, I wait till it gets really serious before I go to borrow money to send them to the hospital.” – Female caregiver living with 4 children.
- #7: Nutrition - Most caregivers were able to afford 3 meals a day for their children. However, many of them alluded to the inadequacy of the meals given and its lack of nutritional value.
- #8: “Every day the children eat 3 times. It’s not satisfying though but they seem to understand my situation. I know that if they get more than they have now, they would eat.” – Female household head living with 3 children.
- #9: Education- Government’s provision of free compulsory basic education enabled caregivers to enroll their wards in school. However being in school requires money for transportation, uniforms, notebooks, food, and a host of other items that are not free. Caregivers say that providing these extras for school are a major difficulty.
- #10: “Yes, they are in school. However I had to borrow money to buy their books, bags and uniforms. I am yet to repay that loan.” – Female caregiver of 2 vulnerable children.
- #11: Some possible solutions
- #12: - Interventions that build the capacity of caregivers can provide long lasting income to sustain households with OVC.
- #13: -OVC --whether in orphanage or households-- need more support to access the full benefits of government's Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education and the National Health Insurance Scheme.
- #14: - Involving all stakeholders and policy makers in setting country specific research agenda is vital in influencing policy through research.