By: Jennifer Nerkie Kenney
Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, has sparked public debate after proposing the adoption of a Safe Haven Baby Box or Baby Hatch system in Ghana as a way to curb the unsafe abandonment of newborn babies.
He raised the issue in a social media post on Monday December 5,2025, inviting public views on whether the model should be explored locally.
According to him, the system, which is practiced in some countries, offers vulnerable parents, particularly teenage mothers in crisis, a secure and confidential option to safely surrender newborns at approved locations such as hospitals and fire stations.
“Instead of vulnerable parents, especially teenage mothers, abandoning newborns in unsafe and inhumane conditions, some countries have a Safe Haven Baby Box or Baby Hatch systems,” Dr. Amoakohene wrote.
Dr. Amoakohene explained that once a baby is placed in such a facility, an alert system is triggered to notify trained personnel.
He said the response is immediate, ensuring the child receives medical attention and is linked to child protection services without delay.
“Once a baby is placed in the facility, an alert is activated and trained personnel respond immediately to provide medical care and initiate child protection services,” he stated.
He noted that the primary goal of the system is to save lives, while offering a humane last-resort option for parents who feel unable to care for their newborns due to social, economic, or emotional pressures.
The Ashanti Regional Minister further indicated that Safe Haven Baby Box systems operate under strict regulations to strike a balance between protecting the identity of the parent and safeguarding the long-term welfare and rights of the child. He stressed that such measures are designed to prevent unsafe abandonment while keeping the welfare and best interest of the child paramount.
“The objective is to prevent unsafe abandonment, protect newborn lives, and offer a humane last-resort option for parents in crisis,” he added.
Dr. Amoakohene did not announce any immediate policy decision but framed the proposal as a conversation starter, urging Ghanaians to reflect on whether the system could work within the country’s legal and social framework.
He concluded by directly inviting public engagement on the matter, asking citizens to share their views on whether Ghana should consider adopting the Safe Haven Baby Box system as part of broader child protection efforts.
