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Home  >  Where we work  >  West Africa  >  Ghana

Ghana

Ghana gained independence from Britain in 1957 and English is the official language, although most people speak Akan.

Despite its abundant mineral resources, economic advancement has been hampered by periods of military rule and several coups. Nevertheless by regional standards Ghana enjoys relative political and economical stability, and is the world’s second largest producer of cocoa. However many people still live in poverty with nearly half the population living on less than $1 a day.

The most crucial issue affecting children’s development in Ghana is the lack of access to adequate education, particularly in rural areas. Serious childhood diseases also remain prevalent especially in the rural north of the country, including malaria, acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea, malnutrition and measles.

The high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, poor access to clean water and sanitation, low income of families and child rights abuses greatly impact on children’s life chances. 

Some of the reasons why Plan works in Ghana

  • One in every nine children dies before reaching the age of five
  • 30% of all children under five years old suffer from stunted growth due to poor nutrition
  • 40% of all children do not attend primary school
  • Over half the rural population do not have access to adequate sanitation facilities


Microfinance improves child care
In the central region of Ghana, in a town called Mankessim, women from several communities have decided to come together to tackle poverty head-on

Children's voices on the agenda at anniversary celebrations
As part of the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Ghana's independence, Plan is sponsoring a programme of events to focus on issues which affect the country's children

A traditional birth attendant at work Training traditional birth attendants in Ghana
Approximately 250 out of 100,000 women die while giving birth or following complications after childbirth in Ghana. The figures are higher in some rural areas where health education is poor and the facilities inadequate. Plan is training traditional birth attendants to become instruments for education, change and development within their communities


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Where Plan works in Ghana
Where Plan works in the country

 

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