Question

examining the status of home economics in Ghana?

Answer 1

Home economics aims at providing marketable skills. This is in line with the general aims of the new education reforms. Home economics education should be able to contribute to manpower development by equipping individuals with occupational skills to make them self-reliant. This is confirmed by Anyakoha (1988) who noted that Home economics occupations abound and that Home Economics is capable of preparing youths and adults for entry into various Home Economics occupations. Some of the career opportunities in Home Economics include: teaching, home economists in businesses such as catering, sewing, interior decorating, dietetics, research, child caring, running a laundry, etc.

Home Economics education also provides management skills in living and help people to appreciate the need for healthy living through improved sanitation and environment. When the family is healthy, they can work harder. At the same time they do not spend money on medical bills. The course teaches knowledge in planning and preparing healthy nutritious meals which help develop the brain and maintain healthy bodies. The benefits of Home Economics education cannot be over emphasized in the eradication of poverty both in the family and in the nation.

According to the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) 2002 - 2004, over the past ten years, Ghana has experienced growing and deepening poverty an evidence of intensification of vulnerability and exclusion among some areas, especially in the north of the country and the central region. Five out of ten regions in Ghana had more than 40% of their population living in poverty in 1999. The GPRS (2002) continued that the worst affected areas being the three northern savannah regions (the Upper East, Upper West and Northern Regions).