Earlier in the year, we shared what it means to adopt a child in Africa which you can catch up on here if you missed it. Today however, we are going to share with you what some of the legal processes required to adopt a child in various parts of Africa are.
- NIGERIA
The Nigerian law requires that a parent-child relationship must be developed before a final court decision is made for adoption.
The adopter must be 21-25 years older than the adoptee.
Where its a married couple seeking adoption, one of them must meet the requirements.
A single parent cannot adopt the opposite sex except in extreme circumstances.
For an interested adopter, such individual must get a suitable Adoption agency, apply for adoption, meet the requirements demanded by the law, then wait for the decision concerning the particular child they wish to adopt.
The Northern parts of Nigeria still faces issues of adoption as there is a general disapproval on adoption practices.
You can find more in the following articles:
https://ng.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/adoption/adoption-in-nigeria/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/18689130/
GHANA
In Ghana there are still issues concerning adoption agencies despite reforms on the laws concerning adoption.
Some of the requirements are similar to those stated in the Nigerian sector but there are few modifications, such as: The maximum age of an adopter is 55 years when then are not related and 65 years when there is a familiar relationship (cousins, nephews etc.)
The adopters called Prospective Adoptive Parents have to go through an adoption agency, apply, and wait for a response from the government
More information can be found in this article: https://www.naaoyooquartey.com/ganyobinaa/adoption-innbsp-by-ghana-what-you-need-to-know/1/11/2019
SUDAN
In Sudan, the adopter’s age range is from 30-50 years. They must have a good reputation and must be able to provide for the child.
Only single females can adopt but with consent from her father. Single males cannot adopt.
The maximum age for the adoptee is 14 years old.
Interested persons must go through a licensed adoption agency, apply, and if approved must raise the child for a year in Sudan in case they have plans of taking the child elsewhere.
More information can be found in this article: https://www.wikiprocedure.com/index.php/Sudan_-_Register_an_adoption
SOUTH AFRICA
In South Africa, there are some modifications such as the open class range of people that can adopt like single persons, same sex couples, married couples, etc.
The age range for the adoptee is a maximum of 18 years.
There is also a process of applying and getting a home visit from the adoption agencies
More can be viewed in this article:
http://giftovlife.com/adoption/adoption-in-south-africa/
ETHIOPIA
Adopters should at least 25 years old and the adoptee should be less than 18 years old.
Information about the child must be reviewed.
The socioeconomic status of the adopters must be good.
Medical checkups are done on the adopters.
An adoption agency is needed and the final decision is made by the court
More can be found here: https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/adoption-in-ethiopia-19594
DRC
- Adoptive parents must be 15 years older or 18 years old to adopt a child.
- Couples must be married for 5 years to be eligible. Same sex couples are not eligible.
- Single, widowed, divorced are eligible but cannot adopt the opposite sex.
- Proof of income must be available with no history of abuse present in the adopter’s record
- Parents cannot adopt more than 3 children.
More details can be found here: https://adoption.com/wiki/Who_Can_Adopt_from_Congo,_Democratic_Republic_of_the
BURKINA FASO
There are some special requirements here such as:
- Only Married Couples can adopt.
- The age range of adopters is 30-50 years and they must be 15 to 45 years older than the adoptee.
- The couples must have a maximum of 4 children living in their home.
- They must be in good health and present a proof of income.
- They appear at a court of law for a final decision.
More can be found here: https://www.rainbowkids.com/international-adoption/country-programs/burkina-faso
UGANDA
The process is not as intricate since the adoption service providers are few.
It simply involves getting a suitable adoption service provider, applying for adoption, getting a match, applying for adoption custody then applying for the child.
More can be found here: https://adoption.com/wiki/How_to_Adopt_from_Uganda
SO WHAT’s NEXT?
Now that you have all of this information, some questions you might be asking is;
What can be done to improve the quality of adoption practices?
How can the awareness on adoption be improved?
Importantly, how can the orphanages where these children are kept be maintained?
How can the stigma attached to adopting be dealt with?
These are the questions we want you to ponder on. Answering these questions can help you make better decisions, opinions when the issues concerning adoption arise.
A TALK WITH MY FATHER
Some months ago, I sat with my father after his evening meal and he told me of an incident that happened. A man was caught kidnapping children to sell them to couples who were in need of children.
The man was a serial kidnapper, and luck ran out on him when he was caught.The interesting part of the story was that the children he had kidnapped before were having a good life with their new parents, eating well and clothed well but their names and identity had been changed. They also spoke a new language.
After my father shared the news with me, he sighed and mentioned that adoption practices had to improve, and people have to stop going through illegal means to adopt children.
ANOTHER THOUGHT
Adopting a child is inclusive, meaning even if a couple have their own children, they can still adopt and make the child their own.
Instead of getting house-helps who would not be trained and be treated badly, I believe people should adopt instead. When that child is adopted, the parent would have a better sense of responsibility.
N.B I do not mean to say that even if a house-help is not adopted, that does not mean they should be denied their right to education, food and proper care.
I hope that this article has caused you to have a better and fresh mindset towards adoption. If you decide to adopt a child in the future, please make sure to go through the right process. What are your thoughts on the issues of Adoption in Africa? Share with us in the comment section.
Written by @onyiyechi-roseline
