protection of privacy of the child be expanded to all forms of abuse affecting children. The Committee further recommends the State Party to devise measures to ensure institutions frequented by children particularly health facilities to undertake to maintain the privacy of children. E. Family environment and alternative care Adoption 19. The committee notes that despite measures to address the adoption procedure as provided in the Children’s Act, post adoption monitoring mechanisms are inadequate especially for inter-country adoption. It was also noted that due to insufficient levels of transparency and control in the child protection system, the Government introduced in May 2013 a moratorium banning all adoptions of children until the situation can be examined further. Though the moratorium is still in place, it is noted that despite a moratorium; adoptions continue to be carried out without the supervision of the Head Office. 20. The Committee also notes that Ghana is in the process of acceding the 1993 Hague Convention on Inter-country adoption (parliament has accepted cabinet memo for accession in Dec2015), which is accompanied by a reform process launched in 2013 to make sure that Ghanaian legislation is in line with international standards. 21. The Committee therefore recommends that the State Party assess the impact of the moratorium with a view to reaching a decision on adoption in its territory. The Committee also recommends for the State Party to expedite the process of accession to the Hague Convention. F. Basic health and welfare 22. The Committee commends the State Party for implementing measures which has led to gains with regard to the preservation of maternal and new-born healthcare, and reduction of under-five mortality rate. Despite the reductions made, the Committee is concerned at the continuing high rate of maternal mortality attributable to the limited availability of contraception which results in high pregnancy and unsafe abortion rates among adolescents. The Committee is also concerned that despite efforts to address malnutrition through the community based – management, acute malnutrition remains a problem among children across the country. For instance, it was brought to the attention of the Committee that 13% of children under 5 within the territory of the State Party are moderately or severely underweight. 23. Based on these and other health related challenges the Committee recommends that the State Party: 7