Child Care Centres as Welfare Institutions in the Northern Region of Ghana: Orphanages in Perspective

Abstract

The social reason for establishing orphanages is flawed following extreme exploitation, abuse and maltreatment of orphans in a number of home(s), signaling an impression that they exist for self-seeking and are conduits for wealth creation for owners. This paper examines the specific role of orphanages as child care centres in the Northern Region of Ghana from the perspectives of welfare services rendered, management styles, compliance and challenges they face. The study used a qualitative research design with a case study approach. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 30 respondents. Sources of data were primary and secondary and the data were analysed thematically. The study shows that orphans and vulnerable children have access to basic welfare service and also, key management style of orphanages was autocratic. Inadequate funding, poor infrastructural facilities, stigmatization and inadequate human resources were the challenges of orphanages. The orphanages play a crucial role by providing basic welfare needs to inmates and vulnerable children. The study therefore recommends an improved budgetary allocation and infrastructure especially by district assemblies and the use of regular volunteers to enhance human resource capacity.

Keywords: Orphanages, Child Care Centres, Children, Vulnerable, Welfare