Ghana: programs & priorities

ChildFund Australia's affiliate organisation in Ghana works with local partners in five different districts throughout the northern region of the country.

Investing in health and nutrition programs means better health for families and children long before they are born. Our programs are designed to reduce malnutrition, with a focus on prenatal and natal care and medical treatment for children, as well as HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment.

Malnutrition sometimes stems from a lack of knowledge, not a lack of food. That is why nutrition education is a major focus of our programs. We help teach families about proper nutrition and the foods children need in order to grow up healthy.

In order to improve family incomes, an micro-enterprise scheme has been established, with over 2,000 people receiving loans ranging from $40 to $250 to start their own business. Support is also provided to local school, with over 40 project schools supplied with exercise books, notebooks, storybooks and other school materials every academic year. ChildFund in Ghana has also organised literacy classes in 22 communities.

Development in progress

Investing in safe drinking water and sanitation means ChildFund in Ghana can help reduce disease and sickness, as well as the large amount of time it takes to find water for cooking and cleaning - time that can be spent on caring for children.

Children, parents and community members are educated about proper hygiene, latrine building, well maintenance, how to protect themselves and their families against disease and how to manage water resources efficiently, through widespread training and skill building.

In its effort to improve the quality of life in communities, ChildFund in Ghana works on conserving natural resources, such as water. Constructing sanitary latrines, harvesting rain water, managing coastal resources and creating awareness about sanitation are the areas in which ChildFund in Ghana focuses.