Safeguarding
The protection and safeguarding of vulnerable young people is at the core of our model. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of abuse or exploitation.
Our Vision and Mission
Achievers Ghana’s vision is of a Ghana in which every child is educated, protected, respected and valued, and grows up to turn the tide of poverty.
As the most effective strategy to tackle poverty and inequality, we multiply educational opportunities for girls and support young women to become leaders of change. The protection of these vulnerable young people is not an addition to our work; it is the foundation upon which all our programs are built.
Protection at the core
We engage with all those who hold authority in relation to girls—parents, teachers, and community leaders—in order to mitigate girls’ vulnerability to any form of abuse. This is enshrined in our Child Protection Policy which is recognized as a standard of best practice.
"Most importantly, the young women of the Achievers Alumni, are at the forefront of our movement for girls’ education and gender-equity, safeguarding the rights and entitlements of vulnerable young people."
Having lived through poverty and marginalization, these young leaders and peer mentors work hand-in-hand with Achievers Ghana and communities to protect young people, ensure they demand their rights, and provide them with the courage to transition into secure, independent lives free of exploitation.
Our governance structures
We follow a rigorous assessment of governance structures and systems from the level of the Executive Director to the level of the individual girl client. We focus on the concept of 'Accounting to the Girl,' which serves as our reference point for best practice in reinforcing the rights and entitlements of vulnerable young people.
Basis of our Child Protection Policy
Achievers Ghana bases its work and policies on the principles enshrined in binding international and national legal instruments, including:
- — The Children's Act, 1998 (Act 560) of the Republic of Ghana
- — The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- — The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
- — ILO Minimum Age Convention 138 of 1973
Excerpts from our Policy
Achievers Ghana incorporates child protection into its strategy, structures and working practices:
The Welfare of the Child Comes First
We work in consideration of the whole being of the child or young person, including their physical, material and psychological well-being. The welfare of children and young people comes first in all our work.
Community-Led Protection
Achievers Ghana believes that communities can protect children from abusive situations, and we work to build their confidence and systems to deal with these situations effectively.
Vulnerability Awareness
We recognize that girls are especially vulnerable to abuse. Our aim of empowering girls is the foundation for enabling them to be less vulnerable—supporting them to develops the confidence to report abuse or threatened abuse.
Duty to Act
All Achievers Ghana employees, volunteers and program activists have a mandatory duty to act if children are not being protected. There is no neutrality in the face of abuse.
Reporting Concerns
If you have any concerns about the safety or welfare of a child involved in our programs, please contact our designated Safeguarding Officer immediately.
Email: safeguarding@achieversghana.org
Phone: +233 243 458138
Annual Review
Achievers Ghana’s Child Protection Policy is reviewed by the Executive Team and ratified by our Board of Trustees annually to ensure it remains aligned with global best practices and local legal developments.