West African Alternative Care Summit
(Ghana 2026)
Over 400+ Participants Last Year
Advancing Family-Based Care and Care Reform Across West Africa
The Countdown Has Begun!
Don’t Miss the Most Anticipated Conference of the Year
From June 17-18, 2026,
Join thousands of policymakers, child protection practitioners, NGOs, development partners, researchers, youth advocates, community organisations, and professionals committed to strengthening alternative care and family-based systems in West Africa at WAACS 2006, in the vibrant city of Accra, Ghana.
West African Alternative Care Summit, Ghana 2026
Empowering Systems. Strengthening Families. Protecting Children.
The West African Alternative Care Summit (WAACS) 2026 in Ghana will convene government leaders, policymakers, practitioners, researchers, civil society organizations, faith and community leaders, security agencies, and individuals with lived experience of alternative care. The summit will provide a platform for shared learning, policy dialogue, and strategic collaboration aimed at strengthening legal frameworks, improving implementation pathways, and accelerating the transition from institutional care to safe, stable, and family-based alternatives across West Africa.
+
West African Countries Represented
+
Participants Across Sectors
+
Expert Speakers & Panelists
01.
Promote Family Strengthening
Address root causes of child-family separation and identify interventions that empower families to care for their children.
02.
Advocate for Legal Pathways to Permanency
Promote adoption and foster care as sustainable legal options for child placement.
03.
Develop Actionable Frameworks
Facilitate discussions that result in regional policies and best practices guiding the transition from institutional to family-based care.
04.
Mobilize a Movement for Care Reform
Establish a long-term, multi-stakeholder collaboration for sustainable child protection and welfare reform in West Africa.
Looking Back At WAACS 2025 (Nigeria)
OUR MEMORY WALL
Some Speakers from WAACS 2025
WAACS convenes leading experts, government representatives, practitioners, and advocates from across Africa and beyond.
- President, Trauma Free World
Julie Cooper
Topic: Trauma Informed Practices
- African Regional Director (BEB)
Kenneth Ayebazibwe
Topic: Leveraging Technology and Data in alternative care
- Country Director (Uganda) - Child's i Foundation
David Adoke
Topic: Aging Out and the Journey to Adulthood
WAACS 2026 is open to practitioners, policymakers, organisations, researchers, donors, and advocates committed to improving outcomes for children.
Registration for WAACS 2026 STARTING SOON!
The Countdown Has Begun!
Don’t Miss the Most Conference of the Year
From June 17-18, 2026,
Join thousands of policymakers, child protection practitioners, NGOs, development partners, researchers, youth advocates, community organisations, and professionals committed to strengthening alternative care and family-based systems in West Africa at WAACS 2006, in the vibrant city of Accra, Ghana.
2025 SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Proudly Supported by Our Esteemed Sponsors & Partners
ACCRA, GHANA 2026
We can't wait to see you in Accra!
WAACS encourages collaboration that extends beyond the summit itself. Participants are supported to remain engaged through ongoing dialogue, peer exchange, and partnership initiatives that promote accountability and sustained reform.
These networks help translate regional commitments into country-level action, ensuring that progress continues long after convenings conclude.
