Program and Process

CAS Ghana Program staff assist families with every step of the adoption process.

Once completed, your dossier is sent to our in-country representative, reviewed and then submitted to the Department of Social Welfare. Your family is matched with a child based on the information in your home study and dossier. From submission of dossier until referral takes about 6 to 12 months or longer. Timeframes provided are estimates while this is a pilot program.

Families receive all available information about their child. This information typically consists of a medical, social history, developmental and background report, along with pictures of your child.

Once approved, your family will be invited to make your first trip to Ghana to meet your child and initiate bonding.

About the Country

Ghana is a West African nation located along the Gulf of Guinea. It borders Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Togo.

Ghana was formerly known as the Gold Coast and it was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain independence from colonialism in 1957. English is the official language of Ghana with 11 languages having the status as government-sponsored languages. However, it is reported that there are more than 56 indigenous languages spoken in Ghana. After English, Akan is the most widely-spoken language.

Today, Ghana has a population of approximately 27 million people. The natural beauty of Ghana is widespread including the coastal beaches, highlands and one of the largest manmade lakes in the world, Volta Lake. Ghana is Africa’s second largest producer of gold and the second largest producer of cocoa in the world.

 

What to Expect when Traveling

Adoptive parents must make two trips to Ghana. The first trip is estimated to be 4.5 to 5 weeks long, and the second trip is estimated to last 3 to 4 weeks.  You will be met at the airport by an in-country representative and escorted throughout your time in-country.

During the first trip, families will meet their child and complete the required bonding period.  A representative from the Department of Social Welfare will meet with you to observe how the bonding is progressing in order to approve your adoption to continue to the next steps.  During your final trip, you will attend court, await the ruling and then apply for your child’s visa. Both parents are required to be at court.