2007 Award for the Defence of the Human Rights of Children
               

Operation Sirigu, Ghana

Operation Sirigu works with communities in the Kassena Nankana District (KND) of Northern Ghana where they sensitively tackle the spirit child phenomenon.

Children can be labelled 'spirit children' for many reasons. For example, if a mother dies in childbirth, if a child is born deformed or with a disability, or during a particularly difficult period (where there is severe poverty in the home for example) or even if a child is born as a twin or triplet. In certain circumstances the child may be labelled a spirit. They are believed to have brought bad luck to their family or community, and in extreme cases may be killed or abandoned.

The project’s holistic approach involves collaboration with soothsayers who are responsible for diagnosing spirit children, and supporting initiatives whose activities address the phenomenon’s symptoms and root causes.

The judges considered Operation Sirigu to be an outstanding organisation, and were impressed by the bravery shown in tackling such a deep-rooted cultural phenomenon with great sensitivity.