| Children Available for Ghana Adoption | Ghana Adoption Requirements | Ghana Adoption Timeline |
| Ghana Adoption Cost Overview | Ghana Adoption Process | Ghana Adoption Resources |
Request your Free Outreach Guide to learn more about Ghana Adoption today!
About Ghana
Ghana is a west-African country that is considered one of the friendliest and safest in all of Africa. Though small in landmass (about the size or Oregon), with 24 million people the country is densely populated. Ghana offers incredible sight-seeing and cultural experiences for a true taste of African life. Despite its size, tourism boasts opportunities for exploring numerous breathtaking waterfalls, savannah grasslands filled with roaming wildlife like antelope, elephants and cougars, luscious rainforests full of swinging monkeys and exotic birds, and pristine golden-sanded beaches that are undiscovered jewels.
Ghana is one of the world's fastest growing economies and does not have a lot of civil unrest in its history. It ranks in the top quarter of the world's most peaceful countries, so families are sure to feel comfortable traveling for their adoption.
Our team in Ghana that will guide you through your adoption journey is comprised of a reputable lawyer with a history in Social Work and over a decade of experience working with the Department of Social Welfare, as well as a team of travel guides from both the U.S. and Ghana who will ensure your experience is seamless and stress-free.
Governance of Ghanan Adoptions
Adoption in Ghana is handled by the Department of Social Welfare (DSW)- Client Services Unit, and the local court system. Families will work with CAN's lawyer and local representatives to submit their dossier to the DSW, who issues the referral, and later to the court for final approval of the adoption. Adoptions in Ghana are only legal when the DSW approves them, and they are only complete once the court approves them. Ghana is not party to the Hague convention.
Children Available for Ghana Adoption
Children available for adoption from Ghana range from young toddlers to teens. On occasion infants are available for adoption, but this should not be considered an "infant" program. Sibling groups are also available for adoption. Ghanaian children are of African decent, with dark skin, dark brown eyes and brown to black hair. Some of the children are healthy while others have special needs that range from minor to severe.
There are many older children and children with special needs available. When selecting a program, consider the following about Ghana's children:
- Boys and girls approximately 2-3 years and older (children under 2 years old may be available, but the average age at referral is 2-3 years)
- Sibling groups
- Special needs children
- Up to two unrelated children at one time
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Ghana Eligibility Requirements
In addition to the USCIS eligibility requirements for prospective adoptive parent(s), Ghana has the following adoption eligibility requirements. If you feel you are not eligible to adopt from Ghana, or you are unsure, we may still be able to work with you. Please contact us for a free case-by-case consultation regarding your Ghana adoption.
- Citizenship: One adoptive parent must be a U.S. citizen.
- Age: Adoptive parents must be at least 25 years of age. The parent must be at least 21 years older than the adoptive child. Parents over 50 years old are considered on a case by case basis if one parent meets the requirements.
- Marriage Status: Married couples are eligible to adopt. There are no prior divorce restrictions. Singles may not adopt at this time.
- Previous Children: Smaller families with less than 5 children living in the home are preferred.
- Income: There is no minimum income required. However, you must meet the income requirements provided by USCIS for the child to immigrate.
- Criminal History: Applicants with a criminal history of child abuse, violence or domestic violence are not eligible to adopt.
Ghana adoption eligibility requirements are subject to change per Ghana’s adoption laws. CAN updates these guidelines as necessary.
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Ghana Adoption Timeline
The timeframe to complete international adoption from Ghana is currently about 12 to 24 months, depending on the time families take to complete their dossier paperwork, their preferences for age and gender, and country processes. However, once the dossier has been submitted in Ghana, families usually complete their adoption within 10-12 months, due to referral issuance averaging 4-6 months and post-referral time estimated at 6 months. This timeframe is subject to change; please consult CAN for the most current processing times for your adoption from Ghana. This time frame is subject to change, so please consult CAN for the most current processing times for your adoption from Ghana. This time frame is subject to change, so please consult CAN for the most current processing times for your adoption from Ghana.
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Ghana Adoption Cost Overview
To give you a general understanding of adoption costs for Ghana, the following list outlines fees paid directly to CAN, fees paid for in-country adoption development and legal processes through CAN, and fees paid for your Home Study and Post Adoption reports. All listed fees are a portion of your adoption costs and are subject to change without notice.
Our Ghana adoption fees are among the lowest available. We strive to keep costs low so that we may help as many children as possible find their loving, forever family.
 |
Application Fee | $250 |
| (Opens your file to review and determine eligibility for adoption from your preferred country) | ||
|
CAN Professional Service Fee | $5,500 |
| (Provides families with personal consultation, instruction and support at every stage of the adoption process) | ||
|
Foreign Adoption Program Fee | $3,500 |
| (Allows CAN to work with foreign governments for program development) | ||
|
Legal and In-Country Fee (Covers legal representation, foreign government coordination and adoption-related fees) | $3,500 |
|
Home Study Fee (Home Study Update is not included) | $1,500 |
| (Assesses your readiness for international adoption. This amount is only for families residing in Texas. Fees for Home Studies conducted outside of Texas vary.) | ||
|
Post Adoption Fee | $600 |
| (Evaluates and reports how adopted child is doing with the family. This amount is only for families residing in Texas. Fees for Post Adoption Reports conducted outside of Texas vary.) | ||
Don't forget that the IRS offers a Tax Credit of up to $12,170 to adoptive families.
CAN offers our families a Dossier Preparation Service to ease their adoption paper chase and to give assurance that their dossiers are correctly assembled for submission. CAN also provides Online Hague Parent Education Courses to help adoptive parents meet the minimum credit hours required by the Hague Convention. These services, along with the other amenities available to CAN families, are designed to make your international adoption process as effortless and enjoyable as possible. These fees are not included in any item listed above.
The international adoption process requires proper document preparation, filing and approval with the USCIS. Adoptive families are responsible for paying the set fees associated with each step. International adoption also involves traveling to the foreign country from which you are adopting. Travel costs include airfare, accommodations, meals and ground transportation, in addition to the requirements for your child(ren)’s entry into the U.S. (a visa and its required medical exam, as well as airfare). All fees are set by and are paid to third parties and may vary from case to case. These fees are not listed above.
For more details on the adoption process and estimated costs, request our CAN Outreach Guide.
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Ghana Adoption Process
1. Application and Approval
To adopt a child(ren), please complete our agency application. For your convenience, you may access the application online here to apply. If you have any concerns about eligibility requirements, please contact us before filling out this application. We will review your eligibility to adopt from Ghana based on the guidelines of Ghana's adoption eligibility requirements once we have received your application. If approved, we will provide you with our agency contract that outlines our fees, services and important information regarding the international adoption process. Upon receipt of your signed contract, CAN will start to provide you with placement services for a child(ren) from Ghana.
2. The Paper Chase
Once your agency contract is in place, it is time to start assembling your dossier. This will include a home study, which will assess your readiness for international adoption from Ghana and help prepare you for adoptive parenthood, filing with USCIS for international adoption approval, and gathering your dossier documents. These dossier documents must go through the appropriate notarization and certification process in the U.S. Your dossier will be reviewed and assembled at our headquarters in Austin, TX, before being sent to the Ghanan adoption authorities for approval. CAN offers a complete Elite Dossier Service to ease your international adoption process and give you peace of mind.
To ensure that prospective adoptive parents are prepared for their international adoption journey, our agency requires that parents complete 10 hours of adoption training as mandated by the Hague Convention. To satisfy these hours, we have developed an online parent training program that we are proud to include in CAN’s service plan. For an overview of the program, please click here. Please contact us for more information regarding adoption from Ghana.
3. Identifying a Child(ren)
After parents submit their dossier to CAN, the dossier and application to adopt is sent to the Department of Social Welfare for approval and a referral. Families will receive medical information and pictures of the child they are being referred. The referral may take anywhere from one month to one year, depending on the age and number of children you wish to adopt, or if they have special needs. However, the average wait time is approximately 4 months for a child 3 and older.
4. Picking Up Your Child(ren)
After a referral is accepted, there is a 3 month waiting period, and then the case will be registered in court. Both parents should travel to Ghana to attend the court hearing. In special circumstances one parent's requirement to appear in court may be waived. After the court issues an adoption decree, parents will file immigration paperwork with the US Embassy. At this time given unknown visa processing times, it is best if the parents leave Ghana and return to pick up their child. The U.S. Embassy will investigate the child's background, and parents must return to Ghana 3-4 months later to pick the child up take them to the U.S.
5. Post-Adoption Requirements
CAN requires 2 post-adoption reports to be issued at 6 and 12 months after the adoption is finalized. These reports must be submitted to demonstrate the benefits of international adoption for their children. Your new life with your child now begins!
Ghana Resources
Raising a Transracial Child
Black Baby White Hands: A View from the Crib by Jaiya John (Soul Water Rising 2005)
In Their Own Voices: Transracial Adoptees Tell Their Stories by Professor Rita J. Simon, Professor Rhonda M. Roorda (Columbia University Press 2000
Parenting Your Internationally Adopted Child: From Your First Hours Together Through the Teen Years by Patty Cogen (Harvard Common Press 2008)
The Connected Child: Bring hope and healing to your adoptive family by Karyn Purvis, David Cross, Wendy Sunshine (McGraw-Hill 2007)
Adoption in the Classroom
Adoption and the Schools: A Resource Guide for Parents and Teachers by Lansing Wood, Nancy Ng (Families Adopting in Response
Adoption Parenting: Creating a Toolbox, Building Connections by Jean MacLeod, Sheena Macrae (EMK Press 2006)
Issues in Adoption
Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew
by Sherrie Eldridge (Delta 1999)
Parenting the Hurt Child : Helping Adoptive Families Heal and Grow by Gregory C. Keck, Regina M. Kupecky, Lynda Gianforte Mansfield (Pinion Press 2002)
Children's Books
Beatrice's Goat by Page McBrier (Author) and Lori Lohstoeter (Illustrator)
Africa Is Not A Country by Margy Burns Knight
I Wished for You: an Adoption Story (Mom's Choice Award Recipient, Book of the Year Award, Creative Child Magazine) by Marianne R. Richmond (Marianne Richmond Studios 2008
A Blessing from Above (Little Golden Book) by Patti Henderson, Elizabeth Edge (Golden Books 2004)
A Mother for Choco (Paperstar) by Keiko Kasza (Putnam Juvenile 1996)
Horace by Holly Keller (HarperCollins 1991)
Articles
Raising A Child of Another Race - Deliberate Parenting Can Make a Difference
How to Be an Adoption Advocate
Nature & Nurture: A New Look at How Families Work
Helping Classmates Understand Adoption
Websites
Official State websites
United States Citizen and Immigration Services U.S. requirements for permanent citizenship for adoptees
Health and Wellness
The Orphan Doctor - Highlights common ailments of adopted children
Support and Education
National Council for Adoption
Joint Council on International Children's Services
C.A.S.E -- Center for Adoption Support and Education
Adoption Learning Partners
North American Council on Adoptable Children
Yahoo! International Adoption Groups Search Page
