Abstract:
Ghana has enacted a number of legislations, including the Children’s Act,
1998, Act 560, which have enshrined the need to protect children against
abuse in law and mandated institutional care for those who are exposed to
the phenomenon. However, are children safe from abuse and neglect in
these care institutions? This paper calls attention to child abuse and neglect
in care institutions in Ghana as a child protection concern. Through a
systematic review of existing literature the paper compiles evidence on
child abuse and neglect in care institutions internationally to advance the
argument that a similar phenomenon is going on in Ghana. The paper then
draws on reports of investigative journalists to establish evidence on abuse
and neglect in child care institutions in Ghana that corroborates the
international literature. It is established that children in care institutions
are subjected to physical, psychological, and sexual abuse and to various
forms of neglectful practices. Implications for policy and professional
practice for Ghana are discussed.
