CHILD CARE CENTERS AS WELFARE INSTITUTIONS: THE ROLE OF ORPHANAGES IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA.

Abstract

Orphanages are social structures that deliver philanthropically, survival services for children who cannot be cared for by their families due to peculiar reasons. Children natural need for maintenance are cut short when they are denied access to their biological parents due to abandonment, sicknesses, extreme poverty and death in some cases. The non-delivery of these services put the victims at the mercy of social vices which threatens society. Unfortunately, the social reason for establishing orphanages has been flawed following extreme exploitation, abuse and maltreatment of orphans in a number of homes signaling an impression that they exist for self-seeking and a conduit for wealth creation for owners. This study aimed at finding out the specific role of orphanages and child care centers in the Northern Region of Ghana from the perspectives of welfare services rendered, management styles, compliance and challenges that they face. It is a qualitative study with a case study approach. A purposive sampling technique was used to select thirty (30) respondents. The main sources of data were primary and secondary and the variables were analyzed thematically. The study revealed that orphans and vulnerable children have access to basic welfare service. Again. key management style of orphanages was autocratic, while revealing a positive impact of the Care Reform Initiative (CRI) programme. Inadequate funding, poor infrastructural facilities, stigmatization and inadequate human resources were the challenges of orphanages. It was noted that orphanages play a crucial varied role by providing basic welfare needs to orphans and vulnerable children. The study therefore recommended: improved budgetary allocation and infrastructure especially by District Assemblies, use of regular volunteers to enhance human resource capacity, public education and sensitization would limit stigma and also the need to subsidize registration fees of orphanages.