Traditional Care practices for Mentally challenged children in Ghana

Traditional Care practices for Mentally challenged children in Ghana

This study sought to find out the traditional care practices for the mentally challenged person between the ages of one and fifteen in the Tamale metropolis. In the Ghana, traditionally, the mentally challenged are usually not given any special attention for such persons to be able to become useful members of the society such that they can contribute their quota to the overall development of the country. This is very evident in the non-availability of specially trained teachers equipped with special skills to help persons with physical and mental challenges. This book examines how parents of the mentally challenged children care for them and the differences and similarities of care patterns between traditional healers and parents and the reasons behind the various treatment and techniques that are used for illnesses believed to be caused by the supernatural. It also explores how traditional healers care for mentally challenged children in the Tamale Metropolis. The book gives a background of the important role of care giving in Africa and how this practice has dwindled over the years due to urbanization and economic difficulties among other multifaceted problem.