Traditional Foster Care:

An Investigative Report on the Experiences and Views of Children and Adults in Northern Ghana

 

 

 

December 2007

 

Prepared By:

 

Inga Tollerud

Hanne Weld

Iddi Haruna

(Social Work Students, Telemark University College, Norway)

 

&

 

Abdul Razak Alhassan & Dr. Bawa A. Kuyini

(CEVS, Tamale, Ghana)

 

 

 

 

Executive Summary

The focus of this project was to explore children’s experiences and views about traditional foster care and to gain an understating of the views of adults in the Tamale metropolitan area about the practice. Information was obtained through interviews with both children and adults

The majority of respondents identified a relationship between foster placement and the need to keep the family ties alive.

Majority of the children lived with grandparents, and expressed satisfaction with living in foster care, in spite of the fact that they have experienced physical and emotional abuse and intimidation. Adults in the community were more positive about the practice even though they have concerns about the outcomes for some children in care. Most children preferred to live with their grandparents and not other relatives, but adults interviewed were less keen to give out their own children for care by other family members, preferring to take on the care role themselves.

Almost all respondents were aware of the existence of child rights law but knew very little about its scope and specific provisions.

The report highlights the potential benefits of the traditional foster care in providing security and protection to children, as well as and identifies training and education for carers and community members around children’s needs and the demands of the child rights law.

 

 

 

Acknowledgements

The authors of this report would like to acknowledge the support of governmental and non-governmental organisations.

We would particularly like to thank the children and adults who participated in the interviews in the Tamale area.