Source: newsthemegh.com/Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
The Department of Social Welfare, Ghana, of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection – MoGCSP, on Tuesday March 19, held a National Symposium to commemorate the 2024 World Social Work Day at Kempinski, Accra.
The theme for the event dubbed ” Professionalisation of Social Work Practice: A shared Future for Ghana’s Transformative Change” sought to raise awareness about the significance of professionalisation of social work practice and its relevance to social development.
It was also to facilitate knowledge-sharing and the exchange of best practices among the social services workforce as well as advocate for increased support and investment in the professional development of social workers to enhance their effectiveness.
In a welcome address read on behalf of the Chief Director of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Afisah Zakariah, the Director for the Department of Social Welfare, Dr Comfort Asare expressed her gratitude to UNICEF Ghana and USAID – US Agency for International Development in Ghana for the support in the development of the Bill to regulate social work practice and making it a profession to align with international standards in order to get the attention of policy makers.
‘This will stop the recruitment of people with no training in the social work practice,’ she added.
Dr Comfort Asare thanked the development partners and all the social worker for their sense of duty and devotion to making the world a better place for humanity especially children and the vulnerable.
The Head of Department of Social Work, University of Ghana, Dr. Augustina Naami speaking on Professionalization in social work by providing the officers with education, training, licensure, ethical guidelines and other professional development, she called on the government and stakeholders to provide the necessary resources and logistical needs to ensure that social workers perform their duties effectively.
UNICEF in a solidarity message admonished all to utilise every opportunity available to advocate for, and talk about proffessionalisation of social work in Ghana because it existence, he believes will result in a high-quality of social services that meet the needs of the hard to reach individuals, families, and communities.
They assured the Government, the Ministry and the Department of their continuous support to the professionalisation of the social work for it to come into reality.
In the end, citations were awarded to the Director for the Department of Social Welfare, Dr Comfort Asare and Madam Felicia Dapaah for playing a magnificent role in the development of Social Work.
The World Social Work Day is an annual event celebrated globally to recognise the contributions of social workers and highlight the importance of their profession in promoting social justice, human rights and well-being.
The event was graced by Social Workers across the country in both private and public sectors, key stakeholders including a Special Guest of Honour, representatives of Ghana Journalist Association, Development Partners, NPOs, Accademia, traditional leaders and students.
Ghana Association Of Social Workers – GASOW– Social Workers Association of Ghana