Social Welfare Department Reviews Social Work Profession Bill
The Department of Social Welfare under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) has held a three-day preparatory workshop to review the Social Work Profession Bill.
Among other objectives, the workshop sought to critically examine the proposed Bill and provide inputs towards strengthening its provisions and ensuring that it adequately responds to the needs and realities of social work practice in Ghana.
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Director of the Department of Social Welfare, Dr Prince Boamah Abrah, emphasised the important role of social workers in promoting the well-being and protection of vulnerable individuals, children, families and communities.
He therefore underscored the need for a comprehensive statutory regulatory framework to ensure quality service delivery.
He stressed that the Social Work Profession Bill provides an opportunity to establish clear standards for education, training, registration, ethical conduct, professional discipline and the continuous development of practitioners.
Dr Boamah Abrah disclosed that Ghana must position itself within emerging best practices by developing a framework that reflects the country’s cultural realities, community structures and social protection priorities.
He urged participants to bring their technical expertise and experience to the process and work together to develop a regulatory framework that will strengthen the profession and position Ghana as a leader in social work development on the African continent.
Addressing stakeholders on behalf of the Chief Director of MoGCSP, Dr Marian W. A. Kpakpah, the Director of the LEAP Management Secretariat, Dr Ongoh Myles, commended the Ministry’s leadership (UNICEF), the Ghana Association of Social Workers (GASOW), and the Social Workers Association of Ghana (SWAG) for their unwavering guidance and steadfast commitment to strengthening the legal and institutional framework governing the social work profession.
He charged participants to work together and contribute generously to the development of the Bill, adding that this would restore hope to social workers working in remote districts without adequate legal backing.
On her part, the Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF Ghana, Madam Hilda Mensah, stated that social workers play a critical role in promoting the rights and well-being of vulnerable persons.
A clear legal and regulatory framework, she stressed, would help strengthen professional standards, accountability and quality service delivery.
She reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting MoGCSP and relevant stakeholders in efforts to strengthen social service systems and promote the protection and well-being of children and vulnerable populations.
Stakeholders at the workshop were taken through the background of the Social Work Profession Bill and engaged in group exercises to review the draft Bill.
There were discussions on areas requiring clarification, improvement and further consideration.
The sessions also provided an opportunity for participants to share their experiences, identify gaps and make recommendations aimed at ensuring that the proposed legislation is comprehensive, practical and responsive to emerging issues within the social services sector.
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