Using Ghana as an illustrative case study, this article examines the ideology and intentions which underpin the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper required for approval by the IMF and World Bank to qualify for debt relief under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries initiative. This article critically examines the functions
assigned to governmental and non-governmental agencies within the social sector generally and the Department of Social Welfare specifically. Conditions at the Department of Social Welfare are explored through data gathered from semi-structured interviews with frontline social workers. These document the day-to-day realities of social work practice in Ghana and the relationship of the Department of Social Welfare with the non-governmental sector in the delivery of welfare services.
