Members of Parliament’s Gender, Children and Social Protection Committee were left shocked during a visit to the “Save Them Young” care home in Bethlehem, Ashaiman, after discovering the dire conditions under which abandoned and special needs children are being housed.
The home, which cares for children with autism, epilepsy, and other disabilities, is struggling with huge debts from unpaid utility and refuse collection bills. Caregivers revealed they receive no government support and rely solely on donations.
Immanuel Ollenu, manager of the home, told the committee that although children are brought in by police and social welfare, the state abandons them afterward.
“We owe utility bills and refuse collection charges to Zoomlion, and we’re unable to pay. We even pleaded to pay half, but they declined,” Ollenu said, adding, “I say this with no apology—we need help.”
He also raised concerns about the lack of trained caregivers, forcing the facility to mix children with special needs with others due to limited space and resources.
Korkor Asante, MP for Atiwa West and committee member, expressed deep concern and called on the government to urgently reconsider its approach to supporting private care homes sheltering vulnerable and abandoned children.
Helen Adjoa Ntoso, Chairperson of the Committee, emphasized that it is unacceptable for the state to hand over abandoned children to private institutions without providing assistance.
“The state must take responsibility. It cannot send children to private shelters and wash its hands off them,” she stressed, urging immediate government intervention and sustained support for care homes like Save Them Young.