Outline:
Addressing the Invisible Labor of Caregivers
A significant event took place in Accra on September 11, 2025, where a training workshop was held by the Africa Centre for Democracy and Socio-economic Development (CDS-Africa) in collaboration with the Centre for Learning and Childhood Development (CLCD) and Songtaba. The focus of this gathering was to highlight the critical need for recognition of unpaid care work, particularly for those who provide support to children with developmental disabilities.
Dr. Abena Boateng, the Director of Research for CDS-Africa, emphasized that the contributions of these unpaid caregivers are often overlooked and under-supported. Despite their essential roles, the labor they perform remains largely invisible. She described the workshop as a crucial step in an ongoing campaign aimed at bringing visibility and value to the tireless efforts of parents, guardians, and caregivers.
“Today marks an important milestone in our collective efforts to bring visibility and value to the tireless, and often invisible, work of parents, guardians, and caregivers. For too long, unpaid care work – especially in the context of children with developmental disabilities – has remained under-recognised, under-supported, and undervalued, despite the profound impact it has on families, communities, and our nation,” she said.
The workshop is part of a broader research and advocacy initiative launched over a year ago. This initiative aims to use real-life evidence to support the scaling up of Ghana’s inclusive education policy. The project seeks to ensure that inclusive education becomes fully implementable across all public schools in Ghana, with special attention given to the challenges faced by caregivers.
“A little over a year ago, we embarked on this journey to use tangible, real life evidence to support the call for Ghana’s inclusive education policy to be scaled up and made implementable in all public schools in Ghana,” she explained.
Dr. Boateng noted that the project was made possible through funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The initiative has conducted extensive research, developed evidence-based recommendations, and engaged stakeholders through a collaborative approach. A steering committee comprising carers, experts, and community leaders played a vital role in co-designing data collection tools and shaping the overall direction of the research.
“Today’s workshop is one of many platforms we are using to reflect on our findings, share lessons learned, and explore actionable strategies to influence both policy and practice. We must put carers’ voices at the centre of this conversation and explore meaningful ways to reduce their burden, including making schools more inclusive,” she added.
Key Points from the Workshop
- Focus on Recognition: The workshop highlighted the urgent need to recognize and support the work of unpaid caregivers.
- Inclusive Education: The initiative aims to make inclusive education accessible in all public schools in Ghana.
- Collaborative Approach: The project involved a steering committee of carers, experts, and community leaders to ensure diverse perspectives.
- Policy Influence: The goal is to influence both policy and practice to better support caregivers and children with developmental disabilities.
Moving Forward
The insights gained from the workshop are expected to contribute significantly to future policies and practices. By centering the voices of caregivers, the initiative hopes to create a more supportive environment for families and children with developmental disabilities. This effort underscores the importance of valuing and supporting the invisible labor that plays a crucial role in the well-being of communities.