Children are at risk
Nearly 40 per cent of Ghana's population is under the age of 14, which means that the challenges in the country, such as poverty, affect many children. In fact, a child is 40 per cent more likely to live in poverty than an adult – more than 3.5 million children in Ghana are poor. Often unable to meet their basic food needs, many children suffer from growth issues. Furthermore, HIV-related deaths leave many children without parental care.
220,000
Children in Ghana have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS
Prevalence of HIV/AIDS
While the situation surrounding the HIV/AIDS epidemic is improving, many people still face hardships related to the disease – and children are particularly affected. An overwhelming 26 000 children are living with HIV.
And even if not directly affected by the virus, around 220, 000 children have lost parental care due to HIV/AIDS, leaving them particularly vulnerable to poverty, undernourishment and lack of education.
1 in 5
Ghanaian children do not attend primary school
Lack of schooling
About 80 per cent of children do not go to primary school, which means that one of five Ghanaian children are deprived of a basic level of education. With hundreds of thousands of children of primary school age not enrolled, many are illiterate and their future prospects are limited.
In addition, although the Ghanaian government has taken steps to ensure gender equality at primary school level, the number of girls who get a secondary education is still low.
10%
Of Ghanaians live in extreme poverty
Rural poverty
Despite Ghana’s recent economic growth, nearly 10% of people are still extremely poor. The poorest groups of the population are mainly small-scale farmers, who have limited access to food that is rich in nutrients or safe drinking water.
The growth and development of future generations of children is affected. In fact, due to inadequate nourishment, one child in every five experiences growth issues during the first thousand days of life.
Together we can make a difference for children in Ghana
Learn at our kindergarten
Are supported on their way to independence
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Although education is free in Ghana, compulsory items like books, stationary and uniforms make school expensive for households like Christie’s. Her family is among the 1,000 households living in Ghana benefitting from our support. Through this, Christie, and many other children, remain in school. This is the only sure way for them to realize their childhood dreams (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Ghana).
Working together for sustainable development
In 2015, leaders from 193 countries committed to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This 15 year plan aims to improve the lives of people by ending poverty, fighting inequality and protecting the planet.
GOAL 1: End poverty
SOS Children’s Villages supports families and communities to keep families together and to help them break out of the cycle of poverty.
GOAL 4: Ensure quality education for all
Every child and young person SOS Children’s Villages supports has access to education, from kindergarten right up to vocational training or university.
GOAL 8: Equal job opportunities for all
SOS Children’s Villages supports young people in developing the skills and self-confidence they need to find decent work and trains parents so that they can have a stable income.
GOAL 10: Reduce inequalities
SOS Children’s Villages works to keep children safe, by promoting peaceful and inclusive communities. We provide training on children’s rights and positive parenting.
GOAL 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies
We advocate laws and practices that ensure social inclusion and protection for children and young people without parental care or from marginalized households.
Let’s keep on protecting children and young people!
Many children have been able to find a safe and secure home. With your help, we can continue to change their lives