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Within seven years, 22 orphanages have been closed down by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection for failing to comply with the laid down standards of operation. While some of them operate without licenses, some operated under unhygienic conditions, some without mosquito nets to protect the children from malaria infestation, while some do not feed the children with nutritious food and other food supplements. Speaking in Accra yesterday when her ministry took its turn at the Meet-the Press series, the sector minister, Nana Oye Lithur, described as unfortunate the activities of some of these orphanages. She said the closure which was between 2007 to date, was in line with a comprehensive restructuring plan to regularize the operations of such homes. She said during field operations by personnel of the Department of Social Welfare, it came to light that some of the orphanages did not have the license to operate, noting that under the care reform initiative; the ministry had outlined plans to regulate their operations. The minister announced that there are about 133 orphanages operating in the country, adding that their activities are being constantly monitored to ensure that they operate within the framework of the Hague Convention. Mrs. Lithur said in the course of the routine exercise, it came to light that some of the children were not orphans but instead brought there by their parents for care-taking because they could not take care of them. She said 983 of such children had since been reconciled with their parents and families and warned those who parade such children as orphans that it was an offence to do so. The minister said while her outfit had stopped issuing licenses for individuals to run orphanages, it has also sought to centralize the processes of adopting children, noting that the days when people could adopt children at the district and regional levels would soon be a thing of the past. The idea, she said, was to critically interrogate those who wanted such children and for what reason or purpose, citing the example of two adopted children who were taken overseas but were brought back, an issue which is under investigation. The minister said under the livelihood Empowerment Programme, 73, 34 people in 100 districts nationwide had benefited from the programme that had cushioned the lifestyle of many households to enroll their wards in school. On the National Health Issuance Scheme, the minister said 3,530 aged had been registered with the scheme, saying her outfit had targeted 10,000 aged to registered nationwide. To make commuting easy particular for the aged, Mrs. Lithur said the ministry had planned to register people of 65 years and above and issue them with special cards which they could use on metro Mass Transit buses. On other intervention programs, she said the World Bank, UNICEF/USAID, the Danish International Development Agency and other donor partners were supporting the ministry with significant funds to carry out its policies and strategic plans. Touching on child protection, promotion and welfare, the minister stressed that her outfit was poised to champion their cause, and had teamed up with UT Bank to renovate the Efua Sutherland Children�s Park in Accra, while steps were underway to renovate the Dansoman and other recreational centers across the country. On rape victims who were alleged to have paid their hospital bills, the minister said they are not required to do so and that a draft policy is being prepared by the Ghana Health Service in that respect. She said 68 women had their fistula repaired at the specialized center at Mankesim and commended doctors for their support.