The Ghana Association of Social Workers (GASOW) is calling on its members to support the measures initiated by the government of Ghana and the call by the International Federation of Social Workers (www.ifsw.org) for member countries to actively involved in the war against COVID – 19. IFSW admonishes all Social Workers to acknowledge that, just like any crisis situations, social workers have an essential role to play in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus. Accordingly, leadership of GASOW is appealing to all members at the regional and district levels to avail themselves to:
- Provide psycho-social counselling and other forms of social support to affected individuals and their families to deal with complex emotional, social and domestic issues including reintegration and unification.
- Utilize their expertise to support the fight against COVID -19 in the areas of case management, elimination of stigmatization and discrimination against victims of the coronavirus.
- Conduct rapid impact need assessment of the lockdown in Greater Accra and Ashanti regions on vulnerable groups such as, street children, female head porters (Kayayees), unemployed persons living with disabilities, single mothers with young children, older adults living in extreme poverty, etc., and develop innovative ways to identify and mobilize resources or assistance to support such individuals who may need help during the lockdown.
GASOW also wishes to inform the general public that it has a pool of volunteers in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions to support mobilization and distribution of food items such as maize, rice, gari, sugar, beans, cooking oil, water, etc., as well as other items like hand sanitizers, tissue papers, Veronica buckets, and liquid soaps among others.
Individuals and organizations who may want to assist the vulnerable, stranded people, street children and people whose living conditions may be negatively affected by the lockdown with food or other items can fall on GASOW volunteers to delivery on their behalf.
For more information about how to receive assistance or offer support to others, please call any of the following numbers:
Greater Accra Region
- Joyce – 0244538190
- Nadiya – 0244213943
- Evelyn – 0242832196
Ashanti Region
- Kwadwo – 0208257221 / 0549992713
- Moses – 0554129071
Leadership of GASOW once again wants to remind member volunteers that, whilst we offer ourselves in the service of the nation, we should endeavour to stay safe. Consequently, members are admonished to strictly adhere to all the protocols outlined by the government through the Ministry of Information and observe the lockdown in Greater Accra and Ashanti regions.
May the good Lord be with us all in these challenging times.
SIGNED : KWADWO OFORI-DUA (PhD). (NATIONAL PRESIDENT)
Source: https://www.gasow.org/a-call-to-all-members-support-national-reponse-to-covid-19-pandemic/