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Janet Ocloo, a PhD candidate in community health sciences at the University of Northern British Columbia, has won the International Doctoral Research Award from Universities Canada.
Her research, which highlights the challenges faced by caregivers of children with cerebral palsy in Ghana, has earned her national recognition through the prestigious award. Ocloo also received $20,000 to support her fieldwork, which addresses critical global development challenges.
Born and raised in Ghana, Ocloo studied medical laboratory sciences at the University of Ghana before earning a master’s degree in public health promotion from Leeds Beckett University in the United Kingdom.
She arrived in Prince George in 2023 to pursue her PhD in health sciences at UNBC, specializing in public health promotion in global health. Her experience supporting children with cancer, along with raising a child with complex needs, inspired her to explore the effects of raising children with cerebral palsy in Ghana.
“Ghana is a place where there's a lot of religion and a lot of superstition,” Ocloo said. “People do not take disabilities as disabilities. They ascribe some spiritual meaning or implications or causation. People stigmatize people with disabilities. People believe that cerebral palsy is spiritual and it's due to the mother's infidelity or maybe some curse.
"It's very difficult for you to have a child with a permanent disability and get any kind of support in Ghana, especially in terms of social support. Partners have decided to abandon their wives because they feel like that is a curse from the woman's family.”
Ocloo’s work shows that caregivers are often ostracized and excluded from their communities once their child's condition is revealed. Many are unable to shop, live or work in their neighbourhoods.
She told The Citizen that her research focuses on connecting with caregivers, pediatric health professionals, government health agencies and academic mentors in both Ghana and Canada.
She found that many caregivers devote their entire lives to caring for their children, often at the expense of their own well-being.
“We forget that these are women who have their own lives to live,” said Ocloo. “For the sake of these children, they sacrifice everything and put their lives on hold. Who cares for them? That is my question. Who cares for the caregiver? Who cares if they're okay? Who cares if they're eating? Who cares that they also get some respite? They don't have any social life anymore.
“I want to be that platform because I believe that one person can make a difference. I believe that when you give them a voice and make them heard, help might just come from somewhere.”
Ocloo said she wants to advocate for improved public health education and better health infrastructure in Ghana. A lack of access to care often leaves parents solely responsible for their children’s needs.
She also plans to return to Ghana to continue her research and push for policy changes that would improve support for caregivers.
“I am going back to Ghana and I am going to communities to interview people with children with cerebral palsy,” she said. “I am also going to interview caregivers and healthcare providers like physiotherapists, clinical psychologists and pediatricians to find out what kind of support would be relevant to caregivers.
“I hope to do that across Ghana. Then I will put that information together and bring a policy brief to the government to see where we go from there.”
Ocloo credited her supervisor, Dr. Sarah de Leeuw, for supporting her throughout her academic journey.
“My achievements and accolades would not be possible without her,” she said.
