CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT:
HOTLINE FOR THE DEPARTMENT
0552721560
ANYAA ZONAL COUNCIL
0591385551
Activities carried out in the first and second quarters of 2023
1st quarter
Case Management.
1) 51 cases were managed successfully
2) An amount of 43,550 cedis was paid to vulnerable children as maintenance through the office of social welfare.
Monitoring and Supervision Of Day Care Centres
The Department monitored and supervised 25 schools within the municipality during the quarter
Stakeholders engagement
During the quarter 18 study group meetings were organized with the audience of 20 males and 153 females totaling 173
The details are as follows
1.Pizza baking
2.Meat pie
3.Soya drink preparation
4.Liquid soap preparation
5.Fascinator making
2nd quarter
Disbursement for Persons Living With Disability
1) 28 persons living with disability was assisted with various items ranging from freezers, plastic rubber containers, laptops, medical bills, provisions etc.
Case management
2) The office managed 49 cases of which 47 was successful. An amount of 58,750 was paid to 75 vulnerable children as maintenance.
Monitoring and Supervision Of Day Care Centres
3) A total number of 27-day care centres were monitored during the quarter.
Education And Sensitization
4) The Department undertook sensitization programmes on menstrual hygiene and child protection issues etc. in 4 schools
SOME ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WEFARE & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN 2021.
COMMUNITY CARE
Under this programme, various community care programmes were organized with or for People living with disabilities, NGOs, Street Children, the aged among other social issues related to people in their communities to enhance their capacity to function well in the society.
The breakdowns of activities are as follows:
SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMS
A. PERSONS WITH DISABILITY (PWDs)
The office identifies, registers and keeps record of all disabled persons for the purpose of assessing their needs so as to plan the form of assistance to be given them. Community-Based Rehabilitation Programmes are also held for them. This aims at strengthening the relationship, and Promoting interaction between disabled persons, their families and the community in which they live. |(i)Registration and Receipt of applications
A number of applications for various financial assistance were received during the year under review numbering Thirty-Eight (38) applicants, twenty-four (24) of these application were new applicants. These applicants included both new entrants as well as old PWD’s who have been working with us. Some included medical treatment, bills for further education as well as applications for income generating activities. This increased the data on PWD’s in the municipality to 372 persons.Categories of PWD’s application received for the quarter
COMMUNITY CARE
Under this programme, various community care programmes were organized with or for People living with disabilities, NGOs, Street Children, the aged among other social issues related to people in their communities to enhance their capacity to function well in the society.
The breakdowns of activities are as follows:
SOCIAL PROTECTION PROGRAMS
A. PERSONS WITH DISABILITY (PWDs)
The office identifies, registers and keeps record of all disabled persons for the purpose of assessing their needs so as to plan the form of assistance to be given them. Community-Based Rehabilitation Programmes are also held for them. This aims at strengthening the relationship, and Promoting interaction between disabled persons, their families and the community in which
they live.
(i)Registration and Receipt of applications
A number of applications for various financial assistance were received during the year under review numbering Thirty-Eight (38) applicants, twenty-four (24) of these application were new applicants. These applicants included both new entrants as well as old PWD’s who have been working with us. Some included medical treatment, bills for further education as well as applications for income generating activities. This increased the data on PWD’s in the municipality to 372 persons.
Categories of PWD’s application received for the quarter
|
1st Quarter |
2nd Quarter |
3rd Quarter |
4th Quarter |
|
M F |
M F |
M F |
M F |
VISUALLY IMPAIRED |
1 - |
- 1 |
1 1 |
0 1 |
HEARING IMPERED |
1 4 |
3 1 |
3 |
1 1 |
MENTALLY CHALLENGED |
|
|
1 |
|
HOLE IN HEART |
|
|
- |
|
PHYSICALLY CHANLLENGED |
2 2 |
3 2 |
1 2 |
2 2 |
MULTIPLE DISABILITY |
1 |
|
|
1 |
CEREBRAL PALSY |
1 |
|
|
|
AUTISTIM |
|
|
|
|
HERNIA |
|
|
|
1 |
TOTAL |
12 6 6 |
9 6 3 |
8 1 7 |
9 5 4 |
(ii) Disbursement of the PWD’s District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) and Monitoring Exercises
The office identifies, registers and keeps record of all disabled persons for the purpose of assessing their needs so as to plan the form of assistance to be given them. Community-Based Rehabilitation Programmes are also held for them. This aims at strengthening the relationship, and Promoting interaction between disabled persons, their families and the community in which they live.
During the year under review 2021, an amount of GH11, 158.00 (Eleven Thousand One Hundred and Fifty-Eight Ghana Cedi) was disbursed to four (4) Persons Living with Disability who were part of the 13th Disbursement. They were as follows:
CLASSIFICATION OF BENEFICIARIES
Category Of Disability |
No Of Beneficiaries |
Male |
Female |
Physically Challenged |
3 |
1 |
2 |
Visually Impaired |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Total |
4 |
2 |
2 |
The Department has so far assisted two Hundred and Thirty-Seven (237) Persons living with Disability with various income generating setup. Made up of 120 Males and 117females.
SOCIAL EDUCATION FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITY (PWD)
During the year 50 Persons Living with Disability (PWD) within the Municipality were educated on the new dimension of assessing the disability common fund. They were made up of 17 Male and 33 Female, the participants were selected from the 13 electoral areas in Ga Central Municipality.
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITY
A total number of 63 persons living with disability during the year were educated on their rights and responsibilities of persons living with Disability. they were made up of 28males and 35 Females. Two (5) persons represented the 13 electoral areas within the Municipality.
TRAINING OF A SELECTION OF PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITY ON TIGER SOYA KHEBAB
During the year a total number of forty-five (45) persons living with Disability from the Ghana Society of the Physically Challenged Association, Ga Central chapter were trained in Tiger nut pudding and millet drink.
NHIS REGISTRATION FOR PWDS
During the year under review a total number of Three Hundred and Thirty (331) made up of 188 Males and 143 Females Persons Living with Disability within the Municipality were registered and renewed their National Health Insurance Scheme.
(iii)Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty (LEAP)
The 69th and 70th, 71st, and 72nd, and 73rd and 74th payment were done on the 29th January 2021, 3rd February, and 17ndJune 2021, 18th June 2021, 10th and 11th November 2021 respectively.
TOTAL NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES = 42
FEMALE = 41
MALE = 1
B. CITIZENS ADVISORY BUREAU
A number of clients totaling over 101 people were at the office to enquire about how to re-unite with their families, court procedures, directions to other offices such as Rent Control, Birth and Deaths, and other offices both within the Assembly and outside the office, as well as other enquiries of social nature. These were counseled accordingly and the others directed to the appropriate offices.
C. NON- GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGO’s)
Three (3) clients called on the social welfare department office to make enquiries for NGO registration proceedings and are yet to start the process.
0.4.2 CHILD RIGHTS PROMOTION AND PROTECTION
Under this programme, Services to children and the family are carried out in several ways, and are in a way, the focal point of the Department’s Programmes. The office worked closely with the family to ensure that it was intact. This is because a breakdown in the family affects the entire society. However, in situation where efforts to keep the family intact proves futile, a provision was made to lessen the negative impact it has especially on the children.
The office has the statutory responsibility for providing homes for homeless, orphaned or abandoned children by assisting in finding foster or homes to care for them whenever children become victims of the environment or the home. Fit Persons or foster parents can be found to care for children whose mothers are seriously ill, hospitalized, in severe state of depression or incarcerated.
Case Work.
Efforts were made to resolve misunderstandings between couples to enable them jointly look after their children, that is, assisting to bring irresponsible spouses before the law. An example is Child Maintenance and in cases of Child Custody to determine where the child would be best cared for if there should be divorce or separation.
The office received One hundred and eighty-three (183) cases for the period under review as tabulated below:
CATEGORIES OF CASES AS REPORTED BY CLIENTS AND THEIR GENDER
CASES |
NUMBER |
MALE |
FEMALE |
Maintenance |
60 |
1 |
59 |
Custody/Access |
39 |
18 |
21 |
Paternity |
9 |
3 |
6 |
Child Neglect |
2 |
- |
2 |
Family Welfare |
33 |
10 |
23 |
Family Tribunal Referral * |
11 |
1 |
10 |
Referrals from DOVVSU * |
17 |
5 |
12 |
Missing children |
2 |
2 |
- |
Mental health/support |
1 |
- |
1 |
threats |
2 |
- |
2 |
Physical Abuse /Assault (Referral to police) |
2 |
- |
2 |
Destitute/Psychological |
5 |
2 |
3 |
Successful Cases |
172 |
- |
- |
Unsuccessful cases |
11 |
1 |
10 |
OVERALL TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES HANDLED |
183 |
43 |
140 |
Management of cases
All the 183 cases have been attended to and the parties are adhering to our recommendations. Eleven (11) of such cases were referred to the Family Tribunal, DOVVSU, ADR, and Police Service for further resolution. An amount ranging from Sixty Ghana Cedis (GH¢60.00) to Five hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢500.00) is being paid as monthly maintenance allowance by some respondents to their complainants (mostly mothers). This is collected monthly and given to the mothers in question. Others also pay weekly. An amount of ninety-four thousand and three hundred and forty-five Ghana cedis only (GHS94,345.00) was collected as maintenance during the year.
B. REGISTRATION AND INSPECTION OF DAY CARE CENTERS
The office has the statutory responsibility under the Day Care Centers in the Children’s Act of 1998 for the facilitate the registration and inspection of Day Care Centers. The office works to achieve and maintain minimum standards of operation at Day Care Centers where children spend greater part of the day while their mothers are engaged in other productive activities outside the homes to support the family.
It also caters for the training of Day Care Attendants and Proprietors to equip them with ne
Day Care Inspection
The Department visited and Monitored eight-eight schools within the Municipality
The Category of Schools in the municipality is as follows:
NEW REGISTRATION
Category A --- 3
Category B --- 11
Category C --- 16
RENEWAL
Category A -8
Category B- 20
Category C- 230
88
ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT IN 2022 BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Social Welfare Unit
Under this programme, various community care programmes were organized with or for People living with disabilities, NGOs, Street Children, the aged among other social issues related to people in their communities to enhance their capacity to function well in the society.
The breakdowns of activities are as follows:
The office identifies, registers and keeps record of all disabled persons for the purpose of assessing their needs so as to plan the form of assistance to be given them. Community-Based Rehabilitation Programmes are also held for them. This aims at strengthening the relationship, and Promoting interaction between disabled persons, their families and the community in which
they live.
(i)Registration and Receipt of applications
A number of applications for various financial assistance were received during the year under review numbering Forty-three (43) applicants, ten (10) of these applications were new applicants. These applicants included both new entrants as well as old PWD’s who have been working with us. Some included medical treatment, bills for further education as well as applications for income generating activities. After initial investigations the names of new members have been added to the PWD’s Municipal album. Seventy (71) names have been taken out of the album. Fifty-One (51) persons have relocated to other Municipalities while twenty (20) persons have passed on. The current register after editing, stands at 331 PWD’s in the Municipality. The Disability Fund Management Committee met on the 15th September,2022 to deliberate on issues concerning PWDs within the Municipality.
Categories of PWD’s application received for the year
|
1st Quarter |
2nd Quarter |
3rd Quarter |
4th Quarter |
||||||||
|
Total |
M |
F |
Total |
M |
F |
Total |
M |
F |
Total |
M |
F |
VISUALLY IMPAIRED |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
HEARING IMPERED |
1 |
- |
1 |
11 |
7 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
9 |
5 |
4 |
MENTALLY CHALLENGED |
1 |
- |
1 |
1 |
- |
1 |
1 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
HOLE IN HEART |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
PHYSICALLY CHANLLENGED |
4 |
2 |
2 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
5 |
2 |
3 |
MULTIPLE DISABILITY |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
CEREBRAL PALSY |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
|
AUTISTIM |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DOWN SYNDROME |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
- |
1 |
SPEECH IMPAIRMENT |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
TOTAL |
7 |
3 |
4 |
14 |
8 |
6 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
16 |
8 |
8 |
The office identifies, registers and keeps record of all disabled persons for the purpose of assessing their needs so as to plan the form of assistance to be given them. Community-Based Rehabilitation Programmes are also held for them. This aims at strengthening the relationship, and Promoting interaction between disabled persons, their families and the community in which they live.
The periodic disbursement of the Fund took place on the 11th of November 2022 at the Finance Unit’s office of the Ga Central Municipal Assembly to 17 (seventeen) Persons with Disability (PWD’s) as part of government’s effort to integrate and assimilate the vulnerable, excluded and the Disadvantaged into the mainstream of development and to enable them contribute their quota to National Development.
A total amount of GHȻ34,019.30 was disbursed to cater for the educational needs of the applicants in the year under review.
Category Of Disability |
No Of Beneficiaries |
Male |
Female |
Hearing Impaired |
12 |
7 |
5 |
Down Syndrome |
1 |
- |
1 |
Intellectual Disability |
3 |
1 |
2 |
Visually Impaired |
1 |
- |
1 |
Total |
17 |
8 |
9 |
The Department has so far assisted two Hundred and Thirty-Seven (237) Persons living with Disability with various income generating setup. Made up of 120 Males and 117females.
World Mental Health Day Celebration
The Department organized an educational program on mental health in line with the mental health day on 10th October,2022. The day was commemorated on the theme” Make Mental Health and Wellbeing for all a global priority” the programme took place at Sowutuom. Ante- Aku and Ablekuma respectively.in all five hundred and six (506) people participated.
DURING THE CELEBRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES
During the year 50 Persons Living with Disability (PWD) within the Municipality were educated on the new dimension of assessing the disability common fund. They were made up of 17 Male and 33 Female, the participants were selected from the 13 electoral areas in Ga Central Municipality.
CAPACITY BUILDING FOR PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITY
During the quarter under review, the Department organized capacity building for one hundred (100) persons living with disability. The programme was on the Rights and Responsibilities of persons living with Disability. The beneficiaries participated actively which made the programme successful
TRAINING FOR SELECTED OF PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITY ON PARAZONE AND LIQUID SOAP PREPARATION
During the year a total number of forty-five (45) persons living with Disability from the Ghana Society of the Physically Challenged Association, Ga Central chapter were trained in Parazone and Liquid Soap.
During the year under review a total number of Three Hundred and Thirty (331) made up of 188 Males and 143 Females Persons Living with Disability within the Municipality were registered and renewed their National Health Insurance Scheme.
LIVELIHOOD EMPOWERMENT AGAINST POVERTY (LEAP)
The 76th, 77th, 78th and 79th payments were made on 28th May,29th May and 9th December, 2022 respectively.
TOTAL NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES = 42
FEMALE = 41
MALE = 1
Vulnerable children who are assisted in 2022 through the LEAP programme were 51.
A number of clients totaling thirty-eight (38) people were at the office to enquire about how to re-unite with their families, court procedures, directions to other offices such as Rent Control, Birth and Deaths, and other offices both within the Assembly and outside the office, as well as other enquiries of social nature.These were counseled accordingly and the others directed to the appropriate offices.
NON- GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGO’s)
Three (3) clients called on the social welfare department office to make enquiries for NGO registration proceedings and are yet to start the process.
Under this programme, Services to children and the family are carried out in several ways, and are in a way, the focal point of the Department’s Programmes. The office worked closely with the family to ensure that it was intact. This is because a breakdown in the family affects the entire society. However, in situations where efforts to keep the family intact proves futile, a provision was made to lessen the negative impact it has especially on the children.
The office has the statutory responsibility for providing homes for homeless, orphaned or abandoned children by assisting in finding foster or homes to care for them whenever children become victims of the environment or the home. Fit Persons or foster parents can be found to care for children whose mothers are seriously ill, hospitalized, in severe state of depression or incarcerated.
Case Work.
Efforts were made to resolve misunderstandings between couples to enable them jointly look after their children, that is, assisting to bring irresponsible spouses before the law. An example is Child Maintenance and in cases of Child Custody to determine where the child would be best cared for if there should be divorce or separation.
The office received One hundred and eighty-three (183) cases for the period under review as tabulated below:
The office has the statutory responsibility for providing homes for homeless, orphaned or abandoned children by assisting in finding foster or homes to care for them whenever children become victims of the environment or the home. Fit Persons or foster parents can be found to care for children whose mothers are seriously ill, hospitalized, in severe state of depression or incarcerated.
Case Work.
Efforts were made to resolve misunderstandings between couples to enable them jointly look after their children, that is, assisting to bring irresponsible spouses before the law. An example is Child Maintenance and in cases of Child Custody to determine where the child would be best cared for if there should be divorce or separation.
The office received One hundred and eighty-three (183) cases for the period under review as tabulated below:
CATEGORIES OF CASES AS REPORTED BY CLIENTS AND THEIR GENDER
CASES |
NUMBER |
MALE |
FEMALE |
Maintenance |
70 |
2 |
68 |
Custody/Access |
39 |
17 |
22 |
Paternity |
3 |
- |
3 |
Child Neglect/Child Marriage |
7 |
2 |
5 |
Family Welfare |
36 |
6 |
30 |
Family Tribunal Referral * |
- |
1 |
- |
Referrals from DOVVSU * |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Missing children |
4 |
2 |
2 |
Maintenance and Family Welfare |
12 |
1 |
11 |
Mental health/support |
- |
- |
- |
Maintenance and Access |
1 |
1 |
- |
Family Welfare and Assault |
1 |
- |
1 |
threats |
- |
- |
- |
Family Welfare and Custody |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Child Abuse |
2 |
- |
2 |
Physical Abuse /Assault (Referral to police) |
1 |
- |
1 |
Family Welfare and Access |
1 |
1 |
|
Destitute/Psychological |
- |
- |
- |
Successful Cases |
171 |
35 |
137 |
Unsuccessful cases |
12 |
1 |
11 |
OVERALL TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES HANDLED |
182 |
36 |
146 |
All the 182 cases have been attended to and the parties are adhering to our recommendations. Eleven (11) of such cases were referred to the Family Tribunal, DOVVSU, ADR, and Police Service for further resolution. An amount ranging from Sixty Ghana Cedis (GH¢60.00) to Five hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢500.00) is being paid as monthly maintenance allowance by some respondents to their complainants (mostly mothers). This is collected monthly and given to the mothers in question. Others also pay weekly.An amount of one-hundred and twenty-six thousand, one hundred and forty-four Ghana cedis only (GHS126,144.00) was collected as maintenance during the year.
Vulnerable Children
One hundred and sixteen children were identified as vulnerable in the Ga Central Municipality in the year under review. These children were maintained through the office by their fathers’ / care givers
C. REGISTRATION AND INSPECTION OF DAY CARE CENTERS
The office has the statutory responsibility under the Day Care Centers in the Children’s Act of 1998 for the facilitate the registration and inspection of Day Care Centers. The office works to achieve and maintain minimum standards of operation at Day Care Centers where children spend greater part of the day while their mothers are engaged in other productive activities outside the homes to support the family.
It also caters for the training of Day Care Attendants and Proprietors to equip them with necessary skills and knowledge to properly care for the young children in their care.
(i) Day Care Inspection
The Department visited and Monitored hundred schools within the Municipality
The Category of Schools in the municipality is as follows:
Category A --- 15
Category B --- 25
Category C --- 60
100
Out of the hundred schools that were visited, fourteen (14) registered their pre-schools with the Department of Social Welfare whiles twenty (20) renewed their certificates. The rest visited had already updated their certificates.
NEW REGISTRATION
Category A-3
Category B-4
Category C-7
14
RENEWALS.
Category A --- 5
Category B --- 7
Category C --- 8
20
Another educational program on Gender based violence was organized for the Ghana Hairdressers and Beauticians Association within the Ga Central Municipality on 12th December, 2022 at Anyaa and Awoshie
CHILD MARRIAGE
The office was able to call off a child marriage case at Ablekuma big city, involving a sixteen (16) year old girl. The victim has since returned to school and is now living a normal life. The parents of the victim are under bond to keep the girl in school and any marital issues until she becomes an adult.
JUVENILE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION
During the year, no criminal case involving a juvenile was reported to the office. Non-criminal cases sent to the Police Stations involving children were handled by our Child Panel Members.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UNIT
During the year under review, the Community Development unit undertook the following activities.
Adult Education
The programs undertaken during the year under review are skills training and study group meetings.
Study Group Meetings
Liquid soap preparation
Activities carried out on behalf of the Assembly
Eight (8) activities were carried out on behalf of the Assembly during the year under review.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT IN 2023 BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Social Welfare Unit
PROGRAMME PERFORMANCE
COMMUNITY CARE
Under this programme, various community care programs were organized with or for People living with disabilities, NGOs, Street Children, the aged among other social issues related to people living in the community to enhance their capacity to function well in the society.
The breakdowns of activities are as follows:
. PERSONS WITH DISABILITY (PWDs)
The office identifies, registers and keeps record of all disabled persons for the purpose of assessing their needs so as to plan the form of assistance to be given them. Community-Based Rehabilitation Programmes are also held for them. This aims at strengthening the relationship, and Promoting interaction between disabled persons, their families and the community in which they live.There was no disbursement carried out this quarter
(I)REGISTRATION, RECEIPT AND SHORT LISTING OF APPLICATIONS
Twenty-one (21) applications have been received so far in the year 2023 for various financial assistance such as medical treatment, bills for educational assistance and income generating activities. Nine (9) of the applications received are from new applicants and the other twelve (12) are from old applicants. After initial investigations their names have been added to the PWD’s Municipal album. The current register after editing, stands at Two hundred and ninety-five (295) PWD’s in the Municipality.
Categories of PWD’s application received for the quarter
DISABILITY |
NUMBER |
FEMALE |
MALE |
VISUALLY IMPAIRED |
1 |
- |
1 |
HEARING IMPAIRED |
10 |
6 |
4 |
MENTALLY CHALLENGED |
- |
- |
- |
HOLE IN HEART |
- |
- |
- |
PHYSICALLY CHANLLENGED |
4 |
1 |
3 |
MULTIPLE DISABILITY |
2 |
- |
2 |
CEREBRAL PALSY |
1 |
- |
1 |
AUTISTIM |
2 |
1 |
1 |
BORN SHORT |
1 |
1 |
- |
TOTAL |
21 |
9 |
12 |
LIVELIHOOD EMPOWERMENT AGAINST POVERTY (LEAP)
No LEAP payment was made to beneficiaries during the first and second quarters of 2023
. CITIZENS ADVISORY BUREAU
Thirteen (13) clients were at the office to enquire about how court procedures for intestate, directions to other offices such as Rent Control, Birth and Deaths, information about the MP’s Common Fund, LEAP and other offices both within the Assembly and outside the office, as well as other enquiries of social nature. These were counseled accordingly and the others directed to the appropriate offices.
. NON- GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGO’s)
No client came to the office to make enquiries from the Department on NGO registration.
CHILD RIGHTS PROMOTION AND PROTECTION
Under this programme, Services to children and the family are carried out in several ways, and are in a way, the focal point of the Department’s Programmes. The office worked closely with the family to ensure that it was intact. This is because a breakdown in the family affects the entire society. However, in situation where efforts to keep the family intact proves futile, a provision is made to lessen the negative impact it has, especially on the children.
The office has the statutory responsibility for providing homes for homeless, orphaned or abandoned children by assisting in finding fit persons or homes to care for them whenever children become victims of the environment or the home. Fit Persons or foster parents can be found to care for children whose mothers are seriously ill, hospitalized, in severe state of depression or incarcerated.
CASE WORK.
Efforts were made to resolve misunderstandings between couples to enable them jointly look after their children, that is, assisting to bring irresponsible spouses before the law. An example is Child Maintenance and in cases of Child Custody to determine where the child would be best cared for if there should be divorce or separation.
The office handled Fifty-five (55) cases for the period under review as tabulated below:
CASES |
NUMBER |
FEMALE |
MALE |
Maintenance |
46 |
43 |
3 |
Custody/Access |
24 |
16 |
8 |
Paternity |
1 |
1 |
- |
Child Neglect |
- |
- |
- |
Family Welfare |
27 |
16 |
11 |
Family Tribunal Referral |
- |
|
|
Missing children/Abounded children/Destitute |
- |
- |
- |
Assault (Referral to police) |
1 |
1 |
- |
Mental Health/Support |
- |
- |
- |
Concealment |
- |
- |
- |
TOTAL |
99 |
77 |
22 |
Successful Cases |
89 |
67 |
22 |
Unsuccessful cases |
10 |
10 |
- |
|
|
|
|
An amount ranging from Sixty Ghana Cedis (GH¢60) to Five hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢500) is being paid as monthly maintenance allowance by some respondents to their complainants (mostly mothers). This is collected monthly, weekly and bi -weekly are given to the mothers in question. A total amount GH₵ (105,180.00) One hundred and five thousand, one hundred and eighty Ghana Cedis was collected as maintenance for different families.
B. REGISTRATION AND INSPECTION OF DAY CARE CENTERS
The office has the statutory responsibility of monitoring, supervising and facilitating the registration of Day Care Centers in the Children’s Act of 1998 for the registration. The
Office works to achieve and maintain minimum standards of operation at Day Care Centers where children spend greater part of the day while their mothers are engaged in other productive activities outside the homes to support the family.
It also caters for the training of Day Care Attendants and Proprietors to equip them with necessary skills and knowledge to properly care for the young children in their care.
INSPECTION
During the first and second quarters, sixty (60) schools were visited. Thirty-one (31) existing schools renewed their certificates, whilst twenty-nine (29) new Schools also went through the registration process.
NEW REGISTRATION
Category A-2
Category B-8
Category C-19
29
Thirty-one (31) Schools have renewed their certificates. The Category of Schools that renewed their certificates within the quarter in the Municipality are as follows:
RENEWALS
Category A --- 00
Category B --- 10
Category C --- 21
31
TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS VISITED
FEMALE (GIRLS): 683
MALE (BOYS): 626
TOTAL 1,309
This figure represents only those that have registered with our Department. This means also that a lot of Schools in the Municipality have not regularized their activities with the Department.
Vulnerable Children
One hundred and sixty-six (166) children were identified as vulnerable children in the Ga Central Municipality in the quarter under review. One Hundred and fifteen (115) children were maintained through the office by their fathers’ / care givers, fifty –one (51) Children who are beneficiaries of livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty LEAP
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UNIT
.
During the first and second quarters, 20 study group meetings were organized, with the audience of 40 males and 153 females totaling 193 the details are as follows:
Cake making
Three groups were taken through the causes and treatment of kidney disease. The facilitator explained that kidney is located at the back of the body and its bean-shaped.it helps in the extraction of waste from the body and also remove water from the body. Intake of water is very essential and avoidance of fatty foods and alcohol helps. Less sugar intake. The facilitator answered most questions raised by the audience. The meeting ended with twenty people.
STRESS MANAGEMENT
A group was taken through stress management by some health personnel. she explained to the people to avoid too much workload, tiredness and thinking too much. Stress affect both physical and physiological state of an individual. When stressed one’s blood pressure rises, heart rate increases, breathing rapidly and also affect sleeping pattern. They were advised to identify things that were putting stress on them and also how to avoid them. The meeting ended with twenty-four members.