Examining counselling needs of divorcees and children of divorce: A case study of Asogli State in the Volta Region of Ghana

Abstract

This  study  sought  to  examine  the  counselling  needs  of  divorcees  and  their  children  in  the  Asogli  in  the  Ho  Municipality.  The  study  employed qualitative approach specifically phenomenological research design  to  investigate  the  phenomenon.  A  total  of  20  respondents  were  employed  in  the  study,  with  14  divorced  women  and  men  and  6  children  of  divorce  participating.  The  respondents  were  selected  using snowball and purposive sampling approaches. The information was  acquired  through  semi-structured  interviews  and  focused  group  discussion guides, among other methods. According to the findings, it  was  revealed  that  divorcees  and  their  children  sought  guidance  from   parents,   chiefs,   elders,   relatives,   pastors,   and   traditional   medicine  men.  The  state  of  Asogli  has  no  professional  counsellors  or  counselling  services.  Moreover,  the  divorcees  were  unaware  of  available  counselling  options.  The  study  recommends  that  divorcees  who are primarily single parents have marital counselling and/or post-traumatic stress disorder treatment (PTSD). In this regard, the creation of community-based counselling centres in the state of Asogli for this aim  would  be  a  commendable  step  forward.  At  the  end  of  the  day:  The  District  Assembly,  traditional  rulers  in  the  state  of  Asogli,  civil  society organizations, and government institutions should all provide services  to  divorcees  and  their  children,  including  care  and  support.  scholarships for children of divorced parents, among other things.

Keywords:Asogli State, counselling, divorcee, Divorcee children, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)