Improving mental healthcare in Ghana: The role of social work practice

Mavis Dako-Gyeke, Humphrey Kofie

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In Ghana, as in most African countries, social work’s uneven development dates back to the evolution of formal social welfare services in the colonial era. The very idea of a social work profession sits uneasily in a paternalistic social system, where chiefs and elders within the extended family system are the first port of call for individuals and families experiencing personal and social problems (Sottie & Boateng, 2014). Despite colonial welfare development, the traditional extended family and community support system remains the backbone of Ghanaian society, which makes it doubly difficult to combat stigma and discrimination surrounding mental illness. Despite scientific advances in the understanding and treatment of mental illness, these traditional institutions exert excessive sanctions against people living with mental illness and families who have members who are mentally ill. So, while cultural traditions might constitute a type of insurance and security for most people experiencing problems in their living conditions, it does not do much for persons who are mentally ill and their families (Apt & Blavo, 1997; Dako-Gyeke & Gilbert, 2014).

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Handbook of Social Work and Social Development in Africa
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages181-189
Number of pages9
ISBN (Electronic)9781317029380
ISBN (Print)9781472468512
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2016

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Improving mental healthcare in Ghana: The role of social work practice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this