Child Safeguarding Policy

The safety and dignity of every child we work with is non-negotiable. This policy sets out what that commitment means in practice.

Last updated: 15 September 2026

Ramah Upliftment Foundation exists to serve orphans, widows, and vulnerable children. The safety and dignity of every child we work with is non-negotiable. This policy sets out what that commitment means in practice.

1. Commitment

Every child has the right to safety, dignity, respect, and protection from harm, regardless of background, gender, disability, religion, ethnicity, family situation, or programme status.

Safeguarding is not optional. It applies to all staff, board members, volunteers, contractors, visitors, partners, photographers, media contributors, and anyone acting on behalf of Ramah.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • Field activities and programme delivery.
  • Volunteer and donor visits.
  • Photography, video, and storytelling.
  • Digital communication and online content.
  • Website and social media.
  • Partner-supported activities.
  • Any Ramah programme involving children or vulnerable families.

3. Our Safeguarding Standards

Ramah representatives must:

  • Treat every child with dignity and respect.
  • Avoid favouritism, humiliation, discrimination, threats, or coercion.
  • Use age-appropriate, culturally respectful communication.
  • Work in visible, accountable settings wherever possible.
  • Follow consent and privacy requirements before collecting or publishing any information about a child.
  • Report safeguarding concerns promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
  • Never make promises to children or families that Ramah has not approved.

4. Prohibited Conduct

Ramah prohibits:

  • Physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse of any kind.
  • Exploitation, harassment, or grooming.
  • Corporal punishment.
  • Private, unnecessary, or secretive contact with a child.
  • Sharing personal contact details with children outside approved programme activities.
  • Publishing a child's name, image, video, location, or story without guardian consent, the child's own agreement, and a documented safeguarding review.
  • Using images or stories that shame, stereotype, expose, or endanger a child.
  • Offering aid or opportunity in exchange for personal, financial, sexual, or other improper benefit.

5. Photos, Videos, and Stories

Ramah uses images and stories only with care. Before publishing child-related media, Ramah must have written guardian consent and the child's own agreement, and must assess whether publication could harm, shame, identify, or expose the child.

Children and guardians may decline photo, video, or story consent without losing access to support.

6. Volunteers and Visitors

Volunteers and visitors must follow Ramah's safeguarding standards. They may not independently photograph, interview, counsel, transport, or communicate privately with children through Ramah activities unless specifically authorised and supervised.

7. Recruitment and Vetting

Ramah checks the suitability of everyone who will work with children.

  • Roles involving contact with children require references and a Ghana Police Service criminal records check before appointment.
  • Every staff member, volunteer, and board member reads this policy and confirms in writing that they accept it.
  • No one works unsupervised with children until these checks are complete.
  • Ramah keeps a record of the checks carried out for each person, held under its data protection policy.

8. Reporting a Concern

Anyone concerned about a child's safety, or about the conduct of a Ramah representative, should report it as soon as possible to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Gloria Aduku. All reports are taken seriously and handled confidentially, with the child's safety as the priority.

Email: safeguarding@ramahupliftment.org

Reports to this address do not pass through the Executive Director, so a concern about anyone in Ramah's management can be raised without going through the person it concerns.

A concern may also be raised in person with any Ramah representative, who must pass it on the same day without deciding for themselves whether it is serious enough.

Reporting outside Ramah. Anyone may report a concern directly to the statutory authorities, whether or not they have told Ramah. In Nabdam District these are the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development at Nabdam District Assembly, and the Ghana Police Service, including its Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit. Ramah will never discourage anyone from doing so, and refers concerns to them itself where required.

9. Non-Retaliation

Ramah will not penalise anyone for raising a safeguarding concern in good faith. Retaliation against a person who reports a concern is not tolerated.

10. Review

This policy is reviewed annually and updated as Ramah's programmes, legal obligations under Ghana's Children's Act 1998 (Act 560), and safeguarding practice develop.

Contact

To report a safeguarding concern or ask about this policy: