This document is a sample essay about social work experiences in Ghana. It discusses the author's exposure to diverse populations through their work with various organizations. The essay describes Ghana's multicultural nature with over 70 ethnic groups and how this helped broaden the author's understanding of different people and perspectives. It also discusses an ethical dilemma the author faced while working for World Vision involving a married woman experiencing domestic violence and the author's decision to advise temporary separation and counseling.

1. Sample Essay on Social Work
Social work career involves working with diverse population. Cultural
pluralism culture concept is one that emphasizes on the respect for
diversity of heritages, lifestyles, values and customs. This paper will
focus on my experiences and exposure to individuals from different
populations. It is going to enumerate my personal qualities in
expressing myself to be sensitive to people with values that are
different from mine. Further, the paper will also showcase the manner
in which life experiences influence my values, beliefs and feelings with
variables such as; Ethnicity (culture, race), spiritual tradition that is
different from those of mine like economic status, age, social status and
sexual orientation. Lastly, the paper will also describe the ethical
dilemma I have experience in the process of decision making and factor
that have contributed to the ultimate outcome.
Ghana is a nation that has diverse ethnic groups and communities. Its
population of over 24 million people and 70 diverse ethnic groups. As a
Ghanaian, the nature of the country which is multicultural has
broadened my scope n different people as well as their perceptions,
which are different from mine. For example, while working with World
Visions Ghana and the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, I was able to
develop ability to use and acquire values, skills and knowledge in ways
that make diversity such a competent practice. I more so developed a
system of feeling, acting and thinking that opens the door so I can
actively seek knowledge, develop values consistent in addressing issues
of sensitive nature and integrate new ideas that at times, are
uncomfortable. I have also learned to be a true professional by giving
up my comfort place, risking to reach out and learn things I do not
know.
What is more, I have acquired ability to solve and work out people’s
problems. Solving the problems of people involves learning how to
acquire knowledge in a couple of ways. What is more, it also entails

2. learning values that are different from mine while at the same time,
having respect for those values. I also believe God created us in ways
that are unique, something that made me a great leader in my
organization as well as World Vision Ghana. Additionally, working with
Hoover Wood Nursing Home also gave me the exposure to work with
individuals of different lifestyles.
Ghana, being culturally diversifies has several religious practices.
However, Islamic, traditional and Christianity beliefs are the major
religions. Being a community advocator, I have also helped individuals
solve problems when I integrated myself with different communities. I
also learned the manner in which different people worship, an aspect
that has helped me solve problems while I worked as a Field Officer
with World Vision Ghana.
To further the latter, when I graduated from the University of Ghana
Legon, I wanted to put into use what I learned. As such, I went to the
countryside in order to work with World Vision there. I lived within the
communities where people do not have access to water, good roads as
well as other necessities. I, therefore understand how social economic
status is applied while dealing with people.
What is more, being an individual that is open minded, I placed aside
the pre-conceived notions and listen to experiences of others. As such, I
fight discrimination, prejudice as well as oppression in all forms
regardless of social-economic status. In order to be able to fight the
latter, I have placed my beliefs aside and pre-conceived knowledge
against the people I intend to help.
While I might not have any disability, I sympathise with individuals with
disability. In fact, once, I plated the dramatic character known as “Good
deeds” in English morality play “Everyman”. I played role of a cripple in
a wheelchair. The latter helped change my view on people in society
with physical disabilities. From the play, I also learned that for
individuals to be successful social workers, it is crucial for them to

3. integrate themselves with clients so as to understand what they go
through and aid them in problem solving.
Nevertheless, my undergraduate studies as well as working experience
with the World Vision and Ghana Broadcasting Corporation have
prepared me to handle sensitive but important aspects like gender,
ethnicity, age, gender and disability.
Nevertheless, there are instances when social workers face ethical
dilemma. For example, I was faced with a dilemma while working with
World Vision during one of my programs for family intervention. I will
always vividly recall how a woman walked into my office in tears,
something I found terrifying. She had been married for 5 years and had
three children with her husband. According to the woman, her
husband’s attitude had abruptly changed and when she confronted him
with the issue, it sparked a fight. Later on, she realized her husband was
having an affair. My role was to help the woman.
Indeed, the latter was an ethical dilemma for me. Firstly, the
fundamental rights of the woman had been violated. Secondly, it was
morally and ethically wrong for the husband to fight his wife. Was it
better if the woman divorced her husband or stayed back and endured
the suffering for the children’s sake or should I have advised the
woman to put her husband in jail? For me, the dilemma was an ethical
one since the woman had three children who needs to be cared for
taking into consideration effects of a divorce.
Later however, I explained the implications of making either of the
decisions. First, I explained once the divorce was completed, the
children would experience emotional development deficit. The
children, after divorce appear depressed and this can last for several
years after the divorce. Older children, however are far less affected by
divorce though they also bottle up negative feelings. The clampdown
emotion of the latter makes it difficult for parents, teachers as well as

4. therapists to help children process their feelings in appropriate and
development ways.
Divorce does not affect children emotionally only but academically as
well. Emotional stress which is caused by divorce can stunt the
academic progress of the children and interfere with their lifestyle.
More so, the instability of broken families contributes to education
results that are poor. The poor academics could be the result of
different factors like instability in homes, limited financial assistance as
well as inconsistent routine.
Further, divorce also affects the social relationship of children in many
ways. For instance, some of these children display distress through
aggressively bullying others. This negatively impacts relationships.
Others experience anxiety and this affects social interactions especially
in activities like teen sports.
Domestic violence, on the other hand also has significant consequences
for children, family members, the community, co-workers and friends.
More so, violence effects on the health of the victim can be shocking
and far reaching. Women beaten might experience different kinds of
medical complications. They can also be at the increased risk of sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) or in some cases, unplanned pregnancies.
They also miss significant amounts of work because of medical
problems. What is more, domestic violence can be fatal. Domestic
violence victims are less likely to commit suicide. Domestic violence as
well contributed to other kinds of violence against women, and women
experiencing violence at home could be more willing to accept and look
for potentially risky and uncertain jobs abroad. This put them in grave
danger of trafficking.
Taking into consideration the consequences aforementioned, I was in
quite a dilemma not knowing what to do. Later, I decided to advice the
woman to consider separation from her husband for a while then invite
him to visit our office personally so we can solve the issues. The

5. husband, with time came to the realization he was not doing the right
thing and made the decision to move back in with his wife.
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