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The ability to have children is a special blessing from God to man since creation (Gen. 1:28). Hence Jesus’ recognition of children as heirs of God’s Kingdom. From one generation to another, humans also have the same blessing to reproduce and remain custodians of the earth and worshippers of God.
Beyond Biblical recognition, societies all over the world pay attention to the wellbeing and development of children because they constitute a vulnerable group. Children are adorable and have potentials for the world’s future, yet weak and fragile. They may be adaptable, resilient, and eager to…
According to the literature, the success of deinstitutionalization (DI) practices in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is dependent on key factors including, a well-functioning family-based alternative care and social protection system, adequate funding and resources, and professional and other stakeholders' engagement and support. Following a practice research qualitative method, the study explored practitioner's experiences and perceptions on the status of Ghana's ongoing DI efforts and their recommendations for improving implementation.
The study's main themes were establishing…
Over the years, social workers have played diverse roles in engaging individuals, groups, families, communities, and organisations in their quest to promote overall well-being. However, persons with disabilities (PWDs) continue to face several challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic adds a layer to their vulnerabilities. While several interventions have been put in place to address the needs of persons with disabilities in developed countries, their counterparts in low-income countries, such as Ghana, continue to face marginalisation and exclusion. Using user-perspective and co-production…
Institutional childcare is associated with developmental delays and setbacks. Since alternative options are not always available, it is important to investigate youth in institutional settings to evaluate how to provide optimal care. Cluster analyses determined adjustment patterns for children in institutional care (CIC) (n = 100) and children in family care (CIF) (n = 100) (M age = 13.34 years, SD = 3.10; 40% female) in Ghana, across internalizing symptoms, quality of life (QoL), and academic achievement.
Three patterns were identified for CIF while four were identified for…
There is growing attention towards neighbourhood and contextual approaches to address and prevent child maltreatment. However, research into neighbour’s protective intervention (protective informal social control) in child neglect has seen little attention. Even amongst the limited research, the findings have not been consistent. The limited research on the subject is partly explained by the contested issue, which centres on the question; how do neighbours witness and intervene in non-aggressive forms of maltreatment, such as neglect? This article aimed to contribute to address this question…
This report examines the rise in child labor and poverty during the Covid-19 pandemic in three countries: Ghana, Nepal, and Uganda, the impact on children’s rights, and government responses. Each of the three countries has made significant progress reducing poverty and child labor in recent decades. Each has also made an explicit commitment as a “pathfinder” country to accelerate efforts to eradicate child labor in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. Adopted by United Nations member states in 2015, these goals call for taking immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor…
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a heavy toll on the human and economic development of many countries around the world. As of 31st December 2020, Ghana had the second-highest number of coronavirus cases in the region of West and Central Africa with 54,771 persons having tested positive. Acknowledging the multiple efforts made by the Government of Ghana, the paper calls for further investment and actions to address the adverse effects of the pandemic, especially on children.
This briefing paper was developed by UNICEF and the Social Policy Research Institute, in collaboration with the…
Abstract
Relatively little is known about the effects of parental migration on the living conditions of children who stay behind. Using survey data collected in 2010 from Ghanaian school children (11-18 years; N=2100), this study investigates variations in children’s durable goods and private utilities when parents migrate internally or internationally compared to a control group of children who live with their parents. The study also investigates whether the effects are contingent upon the marital situation of the parents. The findings show that parental migration is not associated with…
This report explores children and young people’s views and experiences related to COVID-19 and its indirect impacts. Firstly, it looks at children and young people’s perceptions of how COVID-19 has had an impact on their lives and countries. Secondly, it seeks to highlight the ways in which they are working to help to stop the spread of the virus and lessen its impacts.
This research included individual and group interviews with 160 children and young people (80 girls and 80 boys) between the ages of of nine and 18 from eight countries across West Africa: Central…
Children with disabilities are one of the most marginalized and excluded groups in society. Facing daily discrimination in the form of negative attitudes, lack of adequate policies and legislation, they are sometimes deprived from realizing their rights to healthcare, education, and even survival. Children with disabilities are children first and hence have the same rights as other children. One of the ten key strategies for the achievement of the objectives of the national Child and Family Welfare Policy is empowering families in their role as primary caregivers, thus caring for children…