The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has launched a Social Services Workforce (SSW) to train generic social workers for positions in the Department of Social Welfare.
The Director of the Department of Social Welfare, Dr Comfort Asare, said the Ministry, in collaboration with UNICEF Ghana and USAID, has embarked on a vigorous process to strengthen the social welfare workforce in the country.
“The training, coupled with the legal and regulatory framework for social work practice, will address conflicts of interest in delivering integrated social services,” she added.
Dr Asare noted that approximately 1,501,552 students have been trained since the inception of SSW and an eight-week specialised certificate course in Social Work was introduced in April 2023.
According to her, the programmes are designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to make a positive impact in their communities.
She said the Social Service Workforce is in the final stages of affiliation with the University of Ghana and accreditation from the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission to offer a Diploma in Social Work.
A Representative from UNICEF Ghana, Mr Osman Makkawi Khogali, encouraged Ghanaians to support social workers to be able to assist vulnerable and less privileged children, families and communities in Ghana.
Priscilla Osei-Wusu Nimako, ISD
