Latest update

The cost of food and other basic supplies in Ghana are steeply rising. Families in poverty are at risk of severe food insecurity, meaning they completely lack access to food for a day or longer. For Ghanaian children, malnutrition puts their lives at risk.

The local church in Ghana has been leading a response to the global food crisis that has seen many children recover from malnutrition through the provision of food packs. Our local church partners are currently focusing on increasing the income of caregivers through livelihood training, so they are best equipped to provide for their families.

Watch the video below and see an update from our church partners in Ghana.

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Country update

How you can pray

Thank you for praying for the children, families and local church partners we serve in Ghana.

Please join us in praying for the following:

  • Pray for provision for the children, families and local workers who are struggling to access sufficient food during the global food crisis.
  • Praise God for the provision of food packs to families in need.
  • Pray for caregivers who are looking for work, that God will provide stable income for their families.
  • Pray that our local church partners in Ghana will be strengthened in their ministry to their communities.
  • Pray for protection over the children who are most vulnerable to trafficking and child labour.
  • Pray for wisdom for the nation’s leaders as they make decisions and navigate the current economic challenges.
Success for a Mums and Babies project in Ghana

Success for a Mums and Babies project in Ghana

When Comfort fell pregnant at 17, she not only faced fear and confusion at the prospect of being a parent, but her family disowned her. “My father had plans for me to further my education, but he was disappointed in me for getting pregnant. He washed his hands of me and did not care what became of me,” says Comfort.   Read more open_in_new

A snapshot of Compassion's Child Sponsorship Program in Ghana

Compassion’s program is contextualised across countries and communities, as well as age groups.

  • Children aged 1 to 3 receive home-based care.
  • Children aged 3 to 11 visit the Compassion centre for eight hours on Saturdays.
  • Children aged 12 to 14 attend the centre for eight hours per week and serve as peer mentors to younger children for two of those hours.
  • Students aged 15 and older attend the centre for four hours every Saturday.
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Compassion Program Activities in Ghana

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Compassion assisted children in Ghana typically attend program activities at their local child development centre on Saturdays. Here is an example of what a typical program day looks like for children in Ghana.

9:00am - A time of prayer and devotion and breakfast. A typical breakfast usually consists of maize porridge, milk, sugar and bread.

9:30am - Spiritual lessons, when children sing songs and learn Bible stories.

10:30am - Break time, when children can play in a safe environment and develop friendships.

11:00am - Social-emotional lessons ranging from conflict resolution to developing healthy self-esteem and godly character. Children often come from challenging home environments and are taught social and personal skills.

12:00pm - Lunch and social time. A typical lunch generally consists of rice with sauce and either chicken, fish or meat, with seasonal fruit. Food is usually provided as children don’t always have access to nutritionally balanced meals at home. Parents are educated to provide nutritious food for their children, and highly malnourished children are given extra support, including a package of nutritious food such as eggs, milk, beans, rice and oil, once a month.

1:00pm - Health lessons, in which children learn practical health and hygiene tips including how to prevent malaria and HIV.

2:00pm - Letter writing and career planning. Older children work with local staff to identify their strengths and interests and set goals for their future.

Older sponsored children also take part in skills training workshops such as bead and batik making, soap preparation and basket weaving. Parents and caregivers are offered health education classes as well as quarterly training on children’s rights, parenting, and business and financial management.

The greatest needs impacting children living in poverty in Ghana

25.2%

of people live in extreme poverty

308

mothers die from pregnancy related causes per 100,000 births

Along the Gulf of Guinea lies the vibrant West African country of Ghana. The local population are relaxed and hospitable and they deeply respect family values and honouring elders. There are over 50 different ethnic groups across the country, each with its own distinct handwoven fabric.

Poverty remains widespread and is particularly concentrated in rural regions of northern Ghana. Trafficking and forced labour are serious threats for Ghanaian children in poverty, alongside their vastly inadequate access to clean water and sanitation facilities.

Ghana was the first sub-Saharan nation to throw off colonial rule and the first to halve its extreme poverty rate. It continues to be a leader in West Africa as more children pursue their education and living conditions improve. More people are moving to live in urban areas and more children have the opportunity to stay in school longer. Although agriculture remains an important source of employment and income, the economy is diversifying away from subsistence agriculture and it continues to grow.

But economic conditions have worsened in the past five years and these gains are under threat, particularly due to the global food crisis. A gap is widening between the richest and poorest. Those left in rural areas bear the brunt of low incomes but the people crowding into expanding cities face the problems of rapid urbanisation: greater congestion, dangerous pollution, lack of access to safe drinking water and other basic necessities.

Though the harsh realities of life in poverty threaten to rob many children of hope, the incredible stories from our over 400 Ghanaian church partners are a testimony to God's goodness in all circumstances.

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Stories from Compassion around the world

06 Jul, 2016

Dignity Restored After Years of Being Hidden Inside

Born with a debilitating physical deformity, Adzo was hidden away by her family from the time she was born and never had the chance for a real childhood. But thanks to Compassion’s Child Sponsorship Program, Adzo has received medical care and is enjoying the chance to go to school... Read more

14 Mar, 2018

Why Do My Sponsored Child's Letters Sound the Same?

It can be disappointing if your sponsored child hasn’t responded to your questions or even mentioned the letter you sent them. Here’s why this could be happening, plus handy tips to prevent it. .. Read more

23 Apr, 2019

The 5 Deadliest Animals in the Developing World

Stories about dangerous animals always seem to grab the world’s attention. Africa, especially, is known for human-wildlife conflicts and unfortunately, sometimes children’s lives are lost. But there is one creature that takes more young lives every year than any other animal on the planet. .. Read more