The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP)has inaugurated an 11-member Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for the Department of Social Welfare.
The committee, according to the sector minister, Otiko Afisa Djaba, is an essential part of her outfit with the mandate of running the day-to-day affairs of the social welfare services in the country.
The setting up of a TAC is a follow up to recommendations from social welfare specialists.
“The department of social welfare (DSW) is an integral Department of the ministry of gender, and children and social protection (MoGCSP) established to coordinate, Facilitate and Provide Statutory Social Welfare services in the country,” the Minister said.
“The setting up of an Advisory Committee for the Department of Social Welfare is a follow up to a proposal from a Social Welfare Expert Forums held in October, 2014 and November 2016 respectively.”
Otiko Djaba, who swore the members of the committee said: “Government’s long-term policy objective in the care reform initiative is to de-emphasize the over-reliance on care system for children based on institutionalization and promoting a range of integrated family and community-based care service from children without appropriate parental care.”
Otiko Afisa Djaba said the work and further responsibilities of the committee will be reviewed in order to ensure that it works effectively.
“The role and purpose of the committee shall be reviewed bi-annually in order to ensure that the committee functions are responding effectively to the changing trends in social welfare interventions,” she added.
The committee which is being supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will also work to establish a council that would regulate the activities of social work and social workers to meet world standards of social work practice.
“In addition to the formation and supporting the work of the TAC, USAID is also supporting the Social Work Professionalization in Ghana through series of activities and consultative meetings that will eventually lead to the introduction of a bill in the parliament of Ghana for the establishment of a council on social work. It will regulate the training, registration and licensing of social workers in Ghana in line with international best practice.”
Some of the responsibilities of the committee include
Review DSW work plans; ( Target, strategies, outputs and outcomes) against international , regional and national development plans where applicable; Hold Bi and Annual performance review meeting with the department; Periodically review and make recommendations to DSW interventions in line with National Development objectives as and when required; Enhance DSW Public image through advocacy among others.
The committee members who were sworn in include;
The AG. Director the Department of Social Welfare DSW (Ex- Officio Member) , Professor Mavis Dako-Gyeke Head, Department of Social Work UG-Legon, Clara Napaga Tia Sulemana office of the President Flagstaff House, Accra, Dr Prince Abrah Principal School of Social Work, Osu-Accra, Mr Stephen T. Adongo Country Director Kaeme Foundation Accra.
Lawyer Sheila Minkah-Premo Apex la Wcosult Ringroad, Dr Charles Teye Amoatey Gimpa Business School, Mr. John Clay Ghana Association of Social Workers Accra, Chief Superintendent L.W Akorli(REV.) Coordination Director Dovvsu, Dr Badu Head, Child Abuse Center Korlebu Teaching Hospital Accra, Rebecca Quaicoe Graphic Communication Group Accra.
A representative of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Mrs Addo Mensah said the US government is dedicated to ensuring that children across the globe grown in very safe and protective environment.
“The U.S. Government has been a committed and active advocate for children and social workforce strengthening, to ensure that we achieve a world in which all children grow up within protective family care, free from deprivation, exploitation, danger. A strong social welfare workforce is critical to meeting the needs of children lacking adequate family care,” he said
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By: Ann-Shirley/citifmonline.com/Ghana