Accra, Aug. 26, GNA - Government has been called upon to pave the way for interested people to adopt orphans as a way of giving them fitting upbringing and enable them fit in the society and not make them outcasts.

"Such orphans when given the required and needed support and upbringing, it would go a long way in ensuring that they have a bright future and grow up in a healthy environment to contribute to the socio economic development of the country".

Naa Obuobi the First, President of the Ga Queenmothers Association made the call at the opening of the Fifth Annual All Ghana Orphanage Games at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra on Friday.

About 11 institutions are taking part in the two-day games, which is being organised by Orphanage International Ministry (OIM) with sponsorship from Labone Secondary School, GTV, CAL Bank, Barclays Bank Ghana Limited and the Ministry of Health.

Naa Obuobi expressed regret that some queenmothers who approached the authorities for the adoption of some orphans have been turned away with the excuse that they were above 50 years and so their requests could not be met.

The queenmother called on the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs as well as the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development to reduce the burden of adoption of adoption so as to reduce the burden on government in catering for the orphans.

She took the opportunity to appeal especially to teenagers to desist from indulging in early sexual activities so as to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies and neglect of the babies.

Pastor S. L. Aferi, President of the OIM thanked the institutions for sponsoring the games and said it was a right gesture that is aimed at encouraging the orphans in participation in social activities. He expressed the hope that many more institutions would come to the assistance of the Orphanage International Ministry to improve the upbringing of the orphans in the years ahead.

The institutions that participated in the games included Peace and Love, Agape, Kumasi Foster Home, Klikor, Hugs International, Fafraha, Orphanage Africa, Tamale, Teshie, Vedeme and Osu Children's Homes.