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(1) An adoption order shall not be made unless the applicant or, in the case of a joint application, one of the applicants:

(a) is twenty-five years of age and is at least twenty-one years older than the child; or ,

(b) is a relative of the child and is twenty-one years of age.

(2) A male applicant shall only be granted an adoption order if the application is in respect of his son or the court is satisfied that special circumstances warrant the order.

(3) An adoption order shall not be made for a child unless:

(a) the applicant and the child reside in Ghana but this shall not apply if the applicant is a citizen of Ghana resident abroad;

(b) the child has been continuously in the care and possession of the applicant for at least three consecutive months immediately preceding the date of the order; and

(c) the applicant has notified the Department of his intention to apply for an adoption order for the child at least three months before the date of the order.

(4) Except as provided under section 66 an adoption order shall not be made to authorise more than one person to adopt a child.