By Zobia Zulfqar 
A new UNICEF-backed report has revealed that 80 percent of children under the age of five in Ghana are living in multidimensional poverty, making them the most vulnerable age group in the country and highlighting the urgent need for increased investment in child welfare and development.
The findings were presented during the 2026 Day of the African Child celebration in Accra, organized by UNICEF in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP).
The report, titled Situation Analysis of Children and Adolescents in Ghana, was conducted by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and its partners with support from UNICEF. It paints a concerning picture of the challenges facing children across the country despite progress in several social sectors.
According to the analysis, nearly three out of every four children in Ghana experience multiple forms of deprivation, while 97.5 percent lack access to at least one essential service. The report identified children under five as the most affected group, with 80 percent experiencing multidimensional poverty.
Researchers stressed that early childhood remains the most critical stage for intervention and called for greater investment in nutrition, healthcare, early childhood education, sanitation, and child protection services.
The report also found that although Ghana has expanded access to a range of services over the years, public spending on health, education, and social protection remains below internationally recommended benchmarks.
Experts involved in the study argued that prioritizing early childhood development would significantly improve long-term educational, social, and economic outcomes while helping to break cycles of poverty and inequality.
The findings were unveiled alongside another UNICEF-supported report, Assessing Public Spending by Age in Ghana, during the Day of the African Child event.
Observed annually on June 16, the Day of the African Child commemorates the 1976 Soweto Uprising in South Africa, when thousands of students protested against poor-quality education and unequal learning opportunities. This year’s theme focused on “Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for Every Child.”
The event brought together government officials, development partners, child welfare advocates, and policymakers to discuss challenges facing children and identify solutions to improve their well-being.
Among those in attendance were UNICEF Acting Representative Pauline Sarvilahti, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, Learning for Well-being Institute Director Dominic Richardson, Acting Chief Director of the Gender Ministry Ebenezer Charway, and Policy Advisor at the Office of the Vice-President Miriam Iddrisu.
Presenting key findings from the report, NDPC Principal Analyst Nii Odoi Odotei highlighted the scale of child deprivation in Ghana.
Drawing on the 2020 Multidimensional Child Poverty Report, he noted that 73 percent of Ghanaian children are multidimensionally poor, meaning they experience deprivation in at least three critical areas of life.
Mr Odotei acknowledged progress in areas such as skilled birth attendance, primary school enrollment, and child protection legislation. However, he emphasized that significant challenges remain, particularly in ensuring equitable access to essential services.
The report recommends increased investment in children’s development, especially during their earliest years, arguing that improvements in nutrition, healthcare, education, and protection services would generate substantial social and economic benefits for the country.
UNICEF Acting Representative Pauline Sarvilahti praised the Government of Ghana for supporting a comprehensive and evidence-based assessment of children’s well-being.
She highlighted the collaborative effort involving the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the NDPC, the Ghana Statistical Service, and several other institutions.
According to her, the study combined data analysis, technical expertise, community consultations, and direct input from children to provide a comprehensive picture of their experiences and needs.
Ms Sarvilahti also emphasized the importance of adopting a life-cycle approach to child development, noting that children’s needs evolve over time and require coordinated support across multiple sectors.
Acting Chief Director of the Gender Ministry Ebenezer Charway called for increased and strategic investment in children, describing child-focused spending as an investment in national development rather than a social expense.
He stressed that universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene remains a fundamental children’s rights issue that directly affects health, education, nutrition, protection, and social inclusion.
While acknowledging Ghana’s achievements since becoming the first country to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990, Mr Charway noted that many children continue to face multidimensional poverty, learning challenges, unequal access to quality services, child protection concerns, and regional disparities.
The report concludes that stronger investment in children, particularly during their earliest years, will be critical to building a healthier, more equitable, and prosperous future for Ghana.
Source: Daily Graphic