Introduction:
Ghana is the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to establish a WFOT-accredited occupational therapy (OT) program. As OT practice expands across low- and middle-income countries, newly qualified therapists navigate unique challenges requiring adaptability, resilience, and resourcefulness. Understanding their experiences can inform workforce development, policy needs, and professional support.
Objectives: This study explores the motivations, challenges, support systems, and lessons from the first three cohorts of OTs in Ghana, as well as cultural and contextual factors shaping their professional practice.
Methods:
A qualitative study will be conducted from June 2025 to August 2025, using semi-structured interviews with OTs in Ghana. Interviews will be conducted in person or virtually, covering career motivations, educational experiences, practice challenges, support mechanisms, and cultural influences. Thematic analysis will be used to identify key themes, with NVivo (or similar qualitative software) supporting data organization.
Results:
Findings will provide insights into OT practice in Ghana, highlighting educational, professional, and systemic challenges.The study will explore how cultural and contextual factors influence clinical decision-making and professional networks in early career development. These insights will contribute to global discussions on workforce preparedness and professional resilience in new settings in both high- and low-resource countries.
Conclusion:
Documenting the first three cohorts of Ghana’s WFOT-accredited OTs, this study will provide evidence to inform OT curriculum development, workforce policies, and strategies for strengthening OT practice in emerging regions.
Findings may also support the establishment of new OT programs and professional frameworks in other African and low-resource settings.