The COVID-19 pandemic has had a great deal of impact worldwide, Ghana inclusive. From the devastating impact on the economy due to the closure of borders and restrictions on human movement and trading activities to its resulting impact on education and socioeconomic life. Ghana’s response, according to the Ghana COVID-19 Emergency Preparation and Response Project (P173788) has focused on limiting transmission of the virus through enhanced contact tracing, isolation and treatment of infected persons, as well as information sharing about the virus whilst trying to minimize its socio-economic impact. Every member of every class in the society have had their fair share of the impact of this pandemic, and children are not in any way, excluded. But the question is, how formidable is Ghana’s welfare system in protecting children against the egregious impact of COVID-19 pandemic?
Children remain the most treasured possession in the Ghanaian society. As custodians of the future of the nation, their welfare and protection are of importance to the development of the nation. Nevertheless, child welfare in Ghana has over the years, seen innumerable changes. Having transitioned from kinship foster care to state care, the introduction of the Care Reform Initiative (CRI) in 2006 changed not only policy but the provision of child welfare services in Ghana as well. The object of this initiative was to transition from state care to again, revive the family and community-based care – which appeared to be a more sustainable approach to child welfare. This, in turn, led to the closure of about 90% of residential care facilities for children across the country.
By: Lorretta Owusu Domfeh, Peter Annor Mensah & Godsway Dzato
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