Social problems and social work in Ghana: Implications for sustainable development

Abstract

Social Work practice is a helping profession that provides services aimed at assisting societies work better for their people. It is designed to support people burdened with varying degrees of social problems to function better within society. Meaningful and sustainable development cannot take place in societies afflicted with a host of social problems which receive no meaningful interventions. Ghana is beset with a myriad of social problems that call for professional social work interventions. Using Social work education and practice as a backdrop, this article highlights some of the key and emerging social problems in Ghana. It examines the constraints and unique challenges that the profession face in its efforts to help people develop their full potential and improve their lives. Furthermore, the authors discuss social work education and practice interventions that would bring about social change and help people, especially the poor and the marginalized, to appropriately play their part in society. This article concludes with highlights on the implications of social problems and social work interventions for sustainable development in Ghanaian society