On May 25, International Missing Children’s Day, Regina Asamoah, founder of Missing Children Ghana, will be recognized for her pivotal role in transforming the nation’s response to the crisis of missing children. Five years ago, the issue was largely ignored, with families searching in isolation. Today, thanks to Asamoah’s advocacy, Ghana has a dedicated organization, an annual observance of the day, and a strengthened national child protection framework, having reunited over 300 individuals with their families.
A Journalist’s Eye for Unseen Stories
Regina Asamoah’s journey began in journalism in 2009, where her investigative documentaries quickly distinguished her. She tackled sensitive issues, producing impactful pieces like “Defiled and Traumatised” and “Delayed Justice,” which exposed the suffering of abused girls and led to justice and educational opportunities for survivors.
Her fearless reporting on gender issues earned her the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) Best Female Journalist of the Year award in 2019. However, it was her growing awareness of the hidden crisis of disappearing children in Ghana that would become her defining work.
The Documentary That Broke the Silence
In May 2021, Asamoah produced the “Missing Children Documentary,” an investigative piece that started with local whispers in Ashaiman, Greater Accra Region. The documentary uncovered dozens of children languishing in orphanages, separated from families who desperately sought them, trapped in a system lacking reunification mechanisms.
The exposé revealed Ghana’s lack of a strong, coordinated response to missing children. The psychological toll on Asamoah was profound, describing sleepless nights after visiting an orphanage filled with children yearning for home but unable to provide sufficient details for reunification.
Despite the emotional impact, she premiered the documentary on May 22, 2021. The response was immediate, with families rushing to claim missing children featured in the film. Crucially, many other families approached Asamoah with photos of their missing children, appealing for her help.
Unable to ignore these desperate pleas, Asamoah continued her investigations. Collaborating with the Department of Social Welfare and the Ghana Police Service, she traveled the country, documenting cases and helping trace and reunite families. The documentary series garnered significant attention from policymakers and the public, winning the 2022 Popular TV Programme of the Year award at the first African Awards.
Her dedication to promoting peace and harmony through her work was further recognized on September 21, 2023, when the International Association of World Peace Advocates honored her on World Peace Day.
Founding Missing Children Ghana: From Awareness to Action
Recognizing that journalism alone was insufficient, Asamoah established Missing Children Ghana. On May 24, 2023, the non-profit organization was officially launched in Accra with support from the Ghana Italian Women’s Association and IPMC Ghana. This launch coincided with Ghana’s inaugural observance of International Missing Children’s Day on May 25, a milestone Asamoah had tirelessly championed.
Since its inception, Missing Children Ghana has successfully reunited over 300 missing children and adults with their families, offering a lifeline to parents who previously felt alone. The organization also runs complementary projects, such as the “Strengthening Families Beyond Reunification” initiative, providing financial support to caregivers of reunited children, and ongoing educational projects to raise awareness about the missing children phenomenon.
Impact: The Creation of the Missing Person Unit
Asamoah’s advocacy extended to systemic change. Through her documentary series and strategic engagements with the Ghana Police Service, she pushed for a structural response. Her efforts were instrumental in the establishment of the Missing Person Unit at the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) Headquarters of the Ghana Police Service.
This unit coordinates and assists in the swift search for missing persons nationwide. Missing Children Ghana now collaborates closely with the Missing Person Unit, creating a model of civil society-law enforcement partnership. By 2025, the Missing Person Unit launched Ghana’s Amber Alert system, a rapid emergency notification system for abducted children in imminent danger, significantly enhancing response capabilities.
A Network of Support
Asamoah emphasizes that the success of Missing Children Ghana is a collective effort. The organization relies on a broad network of partners and volunteers, including the Ghana Police Service (Missing Person Unit), the Department of Social Welfare, and various residential homes for children.
International and civil society partners, along with corporate supporters, provide crucial resources and funding. These include the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC), Missing Child Kenya, the Africa Missing Children Network, and numerous Ghanaian organizations and businesses. Missing Children Ghana is also part of global networks, connecting its efforts internationally.
Taking the Fight Global and Amplifying Impact
Regina Asamoah’s work has gained international recognition. In 2023, she participated in the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) on Gender-Based Violence, learning from leading organizations in the U.S.
The following year, she received the prestigious U.S. Department of State IVLP Impact Award Grant for her project, “Young Voices Matter: Empowering Boys and Girls in the Fight Against Gender-Based Violence.” This project equipped schoolchildren and teachers with skills to combat Gender-Based Violence and amplified children’s voices through documentaries.
In her current role as Communications and Influencing Specialist at Plan International Ghana, Asamoah leverages her journalistic and advocacy expertise to influence national child protection policies. Her strategic communication efforts have been key in making missing children a prominent topic in Ghana’s national conversation, driven by her mantra: “One missing child is one too many.”
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