How Can I Adopt From Africa?

Question

ghana to be exact?

Answer 1

The state department says:

"Prospective adoptive parents must be resident in Ghana a minimum of six months prior to adopting a child. The prospective adoptive parents must foster a child for one year in Ghana before the adoption is finalized."

The requirements are:

"An application for adoption may be made jointly by a husband and wife;

An application for an adoption order may be made by the mother or father of the child alone or jointly with a spouse;

An application for an adoption order may be made by a single person, but only if that person is a citizen of Ghana;

Applicants must be at least 25 years of age and at least 21 years older than the child;

Applicants must be of sound mind (prospective adoptive parents must undergo a medical exam as part of the pre-approval process);

Applicants must be gainfully employed."

The procedures are:

"Applicants purchase the adoption form from the Director of Social Welfare/Representative at any Regional Social Welfare Office for Cedis 50,000 (subject to change but current as of July 2006);

Applicants submit the completed form along with the attachments specified in the form (e.g., medical examination, civil documents) to the Director of Social Welfare or his/her representative at the Regional Office for processing;

The processing of the application begins with visits to the applicants’ home by a Social Welfare Officer who interviews applicants and submits the report to the Placement Committee, the head office for adoptions in the Department of Social Welfare for approval (this can take approximately three months);

Depending upon the availability of children, a suitable child is placed with would-be parents for a trial period of three months, during which time the Social Welfare Officer undertakes monthly visits;  

If the child and would-be parents are determined to be compatible, applicants engage a local attorney to assist with the legal aspects of the adoption;

The Director of Social Welfare submits the comprehensive report, which covers the social investigation of the applicants, background checks, mental stability, financial stability etc, to the High Court;

An Adoption Order may then be granted by the High Court upon recommendation from the Director of Social Welfare.  NOTE:  The adoption is incomplete without the granting of an Adoption Order by the Court. "