The reforms will also facilitate the development of standards to guide the practice of social work.

The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ms Otiko Afisa Djaba, said this in a speech read on her behalf at the 13th Matriculation and 12th Graduation of the School of Social Work, Osu in Accra last Saturday.

She indicated that the ministry had developed a number of social intervention programmes such as the Child and Family Policy and the Justice for Children Policy to ensure the welfare and protection of the vulnerable and children.

“In all these arrangements, the person who has been prepared to facilitate the process to provide the needs of the vulnerable in our community, the social worker, is critical”, she added.

She said social workers were endowed with the ability to perceive, appreciate and understand the situation of the vulnerable.

Ms Djaba, therefore, appealed to social workers to dedicate themselves to service to the vulnerable.

She said serving the vulnerable would help to improve their lives and make them feel belonged.

Support Vulnerable

The Acting Principal of the school, Dr Prince Boamah Abrah, urged the graduates to use the knowledge and skills acquired to assist and support the vulnerable and under-privileged in society.

The ceremony was held on the theme: “Caring for the Vulnerable: Social Workers Stand Up.”

One hundred and forty-three students who have completed various courses graduated while 175 fresh students were matriculated.