Visit from Ghana Can Lead to Agreement

Dr. Ohene-Konadu and Mr. Kwame Abrefah

The two visitors work at the Department of Social Work. The Chancellor of the University of Ghana is well known, Kofi Annan the former Secretary-General of the United Nations.

During their visit, Dr. Ohene-Konadu and Mr. Kwame Abrefah gave a seminar on Social Work in Ghana. The country is a former British colony and this characterised the country's situation before social work measures began. Missionaries, charities led by the wives of British officials and tribal communities gave aid and support to the socially vulnerable and ill.

In the 1930s, social work in Ghana started as a result of urbanisation and the impact of the market economy. Social welfare institutions were created. In 1944, the Ministry of Social Welfare was established with responsibility for welfare issues. During 1960's and 1970's, the practice of social work was established and the Ghana Association of Social Workers was formed.

Today, the Ministry of Social Welfare is the largest employer of social workers. But there are also a large number of voluntary organisations, some of them foreign, who must be registered in order to operate in Ghana. The Ministry's responsibilities include welfare, children's rights, and juvenile and family courts. Organisations work with, among other issues, street children, and violence against women.

At first it was only possible to study social work abroad, in England for example, and then come back and practise in Ghana. In 1946, the School of Social Welfare started, which then became the School of Social Work in the 1980s. In 1955, education in social work was moved to the University of Ghana. In 1989, the degree programme became three years long, leading to a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. In 2001, Social Work received its own department at the University and two years later they launched a master's programme in the field.

Social workers position in society in Ghana is weak, something that Dr. Ohene-Konadu and Mr. Kwame Abrefah are trying to do something about.

- I am trying to start a new organisation of highly trained and dedicated social workers who can stand up against the government and act forcefully, said Mr. Kwame Abrefah.

- With more social workers who have academic degrees, it will be easier to achieve real professional status, such as lawyers have, said Dr. Ohene-Konadu.

During their week-long stay in Malmö, the two guests from Ghana met with key academic staff at the Faculty of Health and Society, and visited the "Positive Group South", a voluntary organization working with HIV / AIDS, the field group in Hyllie and the Södra Innerstadens District Administration.