Accra, March 17, GNA - Government should focus attention on the most vulnerable and disadvantaged members of society as it grapples with the effects of the global financial crisis.

"We need, as a nation, to act in unity to make sure that resources are made available to the less privileged, vulnerable and disadvantaged," a statement on Tuesday by the Ghana Association of Social Workers in Accra said.

The statement signed by Mr Daniel Obeng Asamoah, President of the association, said this required that Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) responsible for the welfare of the less privileged and vulnerable were adequately resourced to enable them to fulfil their mandates effectively.

The statement forms part of activities marking the Third World Social Work Day which falls on Tuesday, March 17. It is under the theme, "Social Work and Social Development: the Agenda." The Day is aimed at bringing to the fore the invaluable contribution of the social work profession to social development and the need to recognize and involve social workers in our development efforts. The statement said "Our nation is confronted with a myriad of social problems and as social workers our role is to create an enabling environment that makes sure that the average citizen can thrive despite the problems."

It noted that with the global financial crisis unfolding, Ghana would not be spared its adverse socio-economic effects adding, "we all need to find new ways to cope with this". The statement expressed the hope that more pro-poor programmes will be put up to give meaning to the NDC's promise of "investing in people".

It said investing in people this way, called for an improvement in the salaries and conditions of service of all social workers, especially those in government employment. "Indeed investing in social work is the surest way of achieving real social development," the statement said.