Concerns over inadequate funding for children’s shelters in Accra have emerged following a visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Gender to several care homes.
The committee has pledged to advocate for increased financial support for the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection to strengthen social welfare services.
During the visit to the Save Them Young Orphanage, Nungua Children‘s Home and the Great Mission Internati onal, it was revealed that the shelters house approximately 70, 51, and 28 vulnerable children, respectively.
Caregivers expressed frustration over the lack of funding, stating that they rely solely on donor contributions and personal resources to support the children’s needs.
Committee Chairperson Helen Adjoa Ntoso stressed the urgent need for government assistance, emphasizing that private shelters cannot bear the financial burden alone.
“If the state entrusts children with disabilities or those without homes to private shelters, then it must adequately fund them. Without resources, these shelters struggle to care for the children, some of whom remain under their care for years without any intervention. We’ve appealed to the ministry to consider increasing its budget during the next review to support these struggling facilities,” she stated.
She said this following the challenges facing these shelters and government’s decision to slash the budgets of the Ministry.
Meanwhile, Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, disclosed that the Ministry is collaborating with the Interior Ministry to tackle streetism and ensure children’s safety.
“We are concerned about the situation, and alongside the Interior Ministry, we have a task force working to keep children safe and off the streets. We are fulfilling our mandate in various ways,” she stated.
The committee’s visit highlights the ongoing struggles faced by children’s shelters and underscores the need for increased financial assistance to safeguard the welfare of vulnerable children.
