Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, on Tuesday swore in a nine-member Adoption Board to promote the well-being of children.
The Board is chaired by Dr Afisah Zakaria, Chief Director of the Gender Ministry.
It is mandated to function as the Central Adoption Authority to ensure that the conduct of all adoptions is done in a manner that promotes the well-being and best interest of children.
It has Mr Stephen Tikai Dombo as the Secretary, with the members being Dr Susan Langmagne, ACP Owusuwaa Kyeremeh, Mr Bright K. Appiah, Executive Director, Child Rights International, Mr Hanaan N. Asaku, and Mesdames Yvonne Norman, Benice M. Ackon, and Evelyn Danquah Kottoh.
Dr Lartey said among other things, the Board must support efficient and accountable practices in the delivery of adoption services in accordance with the Children’s Amendment Act, 2016, at 937.
It must also follow the relevant laws on adoption, including the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of inter-country adoption.
She encouraged the members to be focused on their mandates despite the many challenges surrounding adoption in the country.
Mr Bright Appiah, on behalf of the Board members, commended the Minister for the confidence reposed in them and pledged to ensure that adoption was dignified to prevent people from taking “advantage of poverty to do what they want to do.”
“Our support is to serve with dignity and make sure that we do all the things we need to do to make you proud and our children proud.”
GNA
