The objectives of the Department
The Department of Social welfare exist to render services to the vulnerable, marginalized, disadvantaged, disabled and the excluded.
The Departments has four (4) core functions which include Child Rights Protection and Promotion, Justice Administration, Community Care and the LEAP Programme.
Activities Undertaken
Child Rights Promotion and Protection
One thousand, nine hundred and twenty-three (1,923) Child Protection Cases were handled during the period under review. Out of this, a total of one thousand eight hundred and twenty (1,820) cases were successfully dealt with. Twenty-six (26) cases were withdrawn; thirty (30) were referred to the family tribunal and forty-seven (47) cases were outstanding/ongoing because they are yet to be deliberated upon which would inform the next course of action.
Health cases
| Type of Case | Cases | Successfully Disposed Off | Cases Withdrawn | Referred To Family Tribunal | Outstanding |
| Child Maintenance | 1850 | 1,755 | 26 | 30 | 39 |
| Child Custody | 18 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Paternity | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Reconciliation/ Family Welfare | 52 | 47 | 0 | – | 5 |
| TOTAL | 1,923 | 1,820 | 26 | 30 | 47 |
Day Care Registration And Supervision
Two hundred and forty six (246) schools were supervised and monitored. One hundred and seventy-eight (178) Day Cares were registered in 2019 across the Region.
Monies Collected at the Agency for Clients
An amount of One Hundred and Ninety-five Thousand, Eighty Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH₵ 195,800.00) was collected for deserving clients as remittances for child care, School fees, Compensation and Inheritance.
Care and Protection for Children
Sixty-one (61) cases (abandoned children) were recorded during the period under review. Their parents were traced and the children have been reunited. Distribution by MMDAs is as follows
Abandoned children cases in MMDAs
SN | Name Of MMDA | No. of Abandoned Children | Remarks |
1 | Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan | 46 | Resolved |
2 | Shama | 5 | Resolved |
3 | Tarkwa- Nsuaem | 2 | Resolved |
4 | Effia–Kwesimintsim | 9 | |
5 | Ahanta West | 3 | Resolved |
Total | 61 |
| |
Justice Administration
The Family Tribunals and Juvenile Court sat regularly during the year. A total number of two hundred and twenty-nine (229) cases were heard. The cases have been categorized as follows:
| S/N | Case | Male | Female | Total |
| Child Maintenance | 47 | 75 | 122 | |
| Child Custody | 33 | 24 | 57 | |
| Juvenile Misconduct | 18 | 32 | 50 | |
| TOTAL | 98 | 131 | 229 |
Social Enquiry Report
Thirty-nine (37) Social Enquiry Reports (SER) were written during the year. They involved a referral of 28 reports for the Sekondi Juvenile Court and 9 on child custody.
Juvenile cases across the MMDAs
SN | Name of MMDA | Juvenile | Child Custody |
1 | Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan | 14 | 5 |
2 | Nzema East | 3 | 2 |
3 | Tarkwa- Nsuaem | 6 | 2 |
4 | Effia–Kwesimintsim | 5 | |
Total | 28 | 9 | |
Juvenile Court
Thirty- nine (39) juvenile cases were recorded. The offences were mostly stealing and defilement which occurred in the following districts: 20 of these cases were from the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan , 6 from Effia–Kwesimintsim Municipal and 3 Nzema East.
Registration of PWDs
The Department registered one thousand seven hundred and seventy-three (1,773) Persons with Disabilities made up of 863 males and 110 females across the Region as follows:
Registered PWDs cases
SN | Name Of MMDA | Form of Disability | No. Registered |
1 | Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan | Not segregated | 163 |
2 | Nzema East | Not segregated | 343 |
3 | Tarkwa- Nsuaem | Not segregated | 230 |
4 | Effia–Kwesimintsim | Not segregated | 253 |
5 | Shama | Not segregated | 190 |
6 | Ahanta West | Not segregated | 209 |
7 | Ellembelle | Not segregated | 130 |
8 | Prestea-Huni Valley | Not segregated | 160 |
9 | Wassa Amenfi West | Not segregated | 95 |
Total | 1,773 | ||
Hospital Welfare Services
Seventy-eight (78) cases were handled comprising 44 females and 34 males. Services provided included:
- Bills being paid in installment: 0 males 9 females
- Bills being waived off: 2 males 12 females
- Patient given free medical treatment: 22 males 35 females
Social Welfare Services
Personal welfare services were rendered to twenty five (25) individuals who came to the Department to solicit for services and information. The services provided included counselling, assistance in registration and renewal of National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP)
Under this social intervention Programme, 58th, 59th, 60th, 61st, 62nd and 63rd payment cycles were carried out. A total amount of Two Million, Five Hundred and Ninety-eight Thousand, Six Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢2,598,600.00) was allocated and disbursed to nine hundred and thirty (930) beneficiary households. All household have been registered with NHIS.