The Department of Social welfare is asking prospective donors to orphanages to seek clearance from their outfit before making any donation to orphanages as a measure of preventing them from being swindled by fake orphanages.
[contextly_sidebar id=”clVCPsJvOd6MAmCgBCsga0IN4LyavZI3″]According to the Director of the Department , Comfort Asare this will help curtail the activities of fake orphanages who in most cases squander these monies donated to them.
In February, an expose by ace journalist Anas Aremeyaw revealed how inmates at the Bawjiase orphanage are abused and made to go hungry despite several donations from organizations.
At the home, the children were made to pose for photo opportunities to receive items from donors, only to be starved behind the walls of the orphanage.
The situation compelled the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection to review operations at various orphanages and close down eighty-three orphanages within the past five years for operating below standards.
Ms Asare said despite efforts to close these orphanages down, the number keeps increasing.
“We are telling the public and everybody that before you even support an institution seek clearance whether that institution is recognised because we realised that as hard as we try to de-institutionalise children and to close down homes, the number keeps fluctuating. ”
Ms Asare was however hopeful that the new directive will help regulate the operation of orphanages in the country.
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By: Marian Efe Ansah/citifmonline.com/Ghana