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Adopting from Ghana

The official flag.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

The official Coat of Arms.
. Source: Wikipedia.org.

Kente cloth weaving.
.Source: Wikipedia.org.

Fishing village on the Cape Coast
Source: flickr.com.

Forest and woodlands in the Ashanti region.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Panoramic photo of Kumasi Street with taxicabs.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Mountains of the Volta region.
Source: Wikipedia.org.

Woman and her baby.
Source: flickr.com.


Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating international adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry Universal Accreditation Act.

The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed and qualified professional. While the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.


About Ghana

Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. Ghana endured a long series of coups before Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS took power in 1981 and banned political parties. After approving a new constitution and restoring multiparty politics in 1992, RAWLINGS won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996 but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR succeeded him and was reelected in 2004. John Atta MILLS won the 2008 presidential election and took over as head of state, but he died in July 2012 and was constitutionally succeeded by his vice president John Dramani MAHAMA, who subsequently won the December 2012 presidential election.


Ghana Adoption Alert

There have been multiple adoption alerts for Ghana. To learn more about these please read the Ghana Adoption Alert page.


Hague Convention Information

Ghana is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption(Hague Adoption Convention). For more information please read about Ghana and the Hague Convention.


Who Can Adopt

In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, you must also meet numerousrequirements in order to adopt a child from Ghana. To learn more please read about Who Can Adopt from Ghana.


Who Can Be Adopted

In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, Ghana has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption. To learn more please read about Who Can Be Adopted from Ghana.


How to Adopt

The Process

The process for adopting a child from Ghana generally includes the following steps:


  1. Choose an Adoption Service Provider
  2. Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt
  3. Be Matched with a Child
  4. Adopt (or gain custody of) the child in Ghana
  5. Apply for the child to be found eligible for orphan status
  6. Bringing Your Child Home

To learn more about this process please read How to Adopt from Ghana.


Traveling Abroad

Applying for Your U.S. Passport

U.S. citizens are required by law to enter and depart the United States on a valid U.S. passport. To learn more about this process please read Traveling Abroad in Ghana.


After Adoption

Ghana has no post-adoption reporting requirements.

Post-Adoption Resources

Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. There are many public and private nonprofit post-adoption services available for children and their families. There are also numerous adoptive family support groups and adoptee organizations active in the United States that provide a network of options for adoptees who seek out other adoptees from the same country of origin. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family— whether it is another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.

Here are some places to start your support group search:


Adoption Services Support Groups for Adopting Persons

North American Council on Adoptable Children


NOTE: Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.


Contact Information

U.S. Embassy in Ghana

The Consular Section is located in the Embassy at: 24 Fourth Circular Road. Cantonments, Accra Tel: (233) (21) 741-000 Fax: (233) (21) 741-389 E-mail: consulateaccra@state.gov or AccraAdoption@state.gov Internet: [[[ghana]].usembassy.gov/ U.S. Embassy Ghana]


Ghana’s Adoption Authority

The Department of Social Welfare Client Services Unit P.O. Box M230 Accra, Ghana Tel: 233-21-662-857


Embassy of Ghana

3512 International Drive, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008 Tel: 202-686-4520 Email: Consular@ghanaembassy.org Internet: [ghanaembassy.org Embassy of Ghana]


Ghana also has a consulate in Houston, TX and consular services are available at the Ghana Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, NY.


Office of Children’s Issues

U.S. Department of State CA/OCS/CI SA-17, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20522-1709 Tel: 1-888-407-4747 Email: AskCI@state.gov Internet: U.S. Department of State


U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

For questions about immigration procedures: National Customer Service Center (NCSC) Tel: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833) Internet: USCIS


For questions about filing a Form I-600A or I-600 petition:

National Benefits Center Tel: 1-877-424-8374 (toll free); 1-816-251-2770 (local) Email: NBC.Adoptions@DHS.gov


SOURCE

Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=ghana