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The spirito-cultural human occupation complex: a theoretical framework based on a Ghanaian perspective

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The spirito-cultural human occupation complex: a theoretical framework based on a Ghanaian perspective
Authors: Opoku, Eric Nkansah, Amanquarnor, Isaac, Akrofi, Joana Nana Serwaa
Publisher Information: Routledge, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Subject Terms: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being, General Health Professions, General Medicine
Description: Ghana witnessed the inception of occupational therapy during the 1970s. However, due to a healthcare system that did not provide adequate support, the profession remained inactive for several years until 2012 when the Ghana Ministry of Health collaborated with the University of Ghana to start a four-year occupational therapy education programme at the university to train occupational therapists locally. As a result, occupational therapy is now, to some extent, widely recognised and accepted in Ghana’s healthcare system. Despite these significant strides, occupational therapy practitioners in Ghana continue to express concerns about the heavy reliance on Euro-American theories, philosophies, and approaches that guide their practice. While acknowledging the usefulness of these theories, they indicate that they can prove challenging and do not provide a holistic lens for capturing the essence of occupation and engagement in the Ghanaian context. Most Euro-American theories and philosophies lack the interconnected nature of the spiritual and cultural aspects of occupation and engagement. The interconnected and interdependent nature of spirituality and culture in the Ghanaian context necessitated the development of the Spirito-Cultural Human Occupation (SpiCHO) Complex theoretical framework.
Document Type: Part of book or chapter of book
Language: English
DOI: 10.4324/9781003526766-30
Access URL: https://researchonline.gcu.ac.uk/en/publications/0d0281ba-dee7-4655-8a4e-adb336109572
Rights: CC BY
Accession Number: edsair.dedup.wf.002..3905dcd3dad3edfbfc8786c21f5b7889
Database: OpenAIRE
Description
Abstract:Ghana witnessed the inception of occupational therapy during the 1970s. However, due to a healthcare system that did not provide adequate support, the profession remained inactive for several years until 2012 when the Ghana Ministry of Health collaborated with the University of Ghana to start a four-year occupational therapy education programme at the university to train occupational therapists locally. As a result, occupational therapy is now, to some extent, widely recognised and accepted in Ghana’s healthcare system. Despite these significant strides, occupational therapy practitioners in Ghana continue to express concerns about the heavy reliance on Euro-American theories, philosophies, and approaches that guide their practice. While acknowledging the usefulness of these theories, they indicate that they can prove challenging and do not provide a holistic lens for capturing the essence of occupation and engagement in the Ghanaian context. Most Euro-American theories and philosophies lack the interconnected nature of the spiritual and cultural aspects of occupation and engagement. The interconnected and interdependent nature of spirituality and culture in the Ghanaian context necessitated the development of the Spirito-Cultural Human Occupation (SpiCHO) Complex theoretical framework.
DOI:10.4324/9781003526766-30