**2. Background to social work practice in Ghana**

Social work practice in Ghana started as a welfare practice during the pre-colonial era. The family system, typically the extended family, was seen as the epitome of providing welfare services for members in need [17]. The era saw a mutual interdependence of family system, where individuals within the family (i.e., grandparents, parents, uncles, aunties, and cousins) assisted in solving individuals, families, and societal problems [17]. Post-colonial developments such as modernization and technology development saw the need for professional social work interventions, necessitating the need for professionally trained social workers in Ghana [18]. Efforts to realize this necessity was met with the establishment of the School of Social Work in 1946 at Osu, Accra, to train social workers in certificate courses and the graduates mostly work with the social welfare departments across the country. Subsequently, the University of Ghana and currently a few other universities offer diplomas, bachelors, master's in social work. It is noteworthy that the University of Ghana is the only institution that offers PhD degree in social work.

#### **2.1 Roles of social workers in areas of disability**

Social workers perform different roles to promote disability rights in Ghana. Social work practitioners in Ghana mostly work with the department of social welfare, providing case management and other services for the vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities. Others work in institutions such as the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs). Yet others work as special education coordinators and teachers in schools.

Also, social work educators engage in teaching and training more social workers. Over the years, social work education in Ghana has focused on training and equipping students with knowledge and skills to tackle social problems, including disability,

*Perspective Chapter: Disability-Inclusive Sustainable Services – The Role of Social Workers DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.106283*

that require professional interventions [18]. Social work educators work in collaboration with social service providers regarding field practicum. Students do their field practicum with department of social welfare, civil society organizations (CSOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the area of disability. Through these strategies, social work students acquire hands-on experience as well as network with these organisations [19]. Social work researchers also engage in disability research to heighten public awareness of disability issues intended at reducing discrimination and stigmatization against persons with disabilities as well as their needs.
