Ghana Undergoes UN Child Rights Review as Delegation Defends Progress and Reforms in Geneva
Ghana is currently presenting its progress in protecting and promoting the rights of children before the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in Geneva, Switzerland. The country is undergoing its combined 6th and 7th periodic reviews in a two-day session that began on January 13 and concluded on January 14, 2026.
Leading the Ghanaian delegation is Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection. She is joined by representatives from key government ministries, Parliament, and child rights experts, who are collectively outlining Ghana’s achievements and reforms in implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Ghana in 1990.
The review scrutinises critical areas such as education, healthcare, protection from violence, and initiatives to combat child labour and poverty. Ghana’s report highlights successes including the expansion of free education programs, social protection schemes, and nationwide campaigns against child marriage and exploitation.
However, submissions from organisations such as Human Rights Watch have drawn attention to ongoing challenges, particularly the barriers faced by children with disabilities and pregnant adolescent girls in accessing education. These concerns are expected to form part of the constructive dialogue during the review.
Addressing the Committee, Dr. Lartey emphasised Ghana’s commitment to children’s rights, stating, “This review provides an opportunity to reaffirm our dedication to every child’s right to thrive. We welcome feedback that will guide future policies and strengthen our efforts to safeguard the welfare of all children.”
The review sessions, held at the Palais Wilson, are part of the CRC’s ongoing mandate to assess state parties’ adherence to international child rights standards. Recommendations from the Committee are anticipated in the coming weeks and are expected to inform national strategies aimed at improving the protection and well-being of Ghanaian children.
Ghana’s engagement in the UN review underscores its steadfast commitment to aligning national child welfare policies with global standards, demonstrating a resolve to continually improve the rights and lives of its youngest citizens.
