Where Should We Stay? Exploring the Options of Caring for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Ghana

This study provides an insight into care arrangements for orphan and vulnerable children in Ghana. It is an investigatory study using a mixed research method. Data was collected from 2, 100 households across 7 regions of Ghana and 36 institutional homes. It is evident that, there are a number of care arrangements available to orphan and vulnerable children in the country which are broadly categorized under institutional, community-based, and family/household care arrangements. Each of these care arrangements also has other sub-types depending on mode of operation. Institutional homes were most prominent followed by fosterage, adoption and house helps. Only one community-based OVC care arrangement was identified. These care arrangements provided all manner of care services to OVC, including education, food, health, socio-emotional and recreational care services; yet, there are obvious situations of lack of capacity and adherence to guidelines and regulations. Issues related to resources for home-based care were pronounced. It is therefore imperative that the situation of orphans and vulnerable children be carefully reconsidered. The capacity of the Department of Social Welfare comes to the fore in the quest to redefined care arrangements for OVC. Nonetheless, the debate on care arrangements for OVC lies in the adoption of a more. comprehensive regulatory system with consideration for home-based care arrangements including fosterage and adoption.