A two-year experiment to enhance Ghana's programme to include people with disabilities has come to an end.
Its goals were to uphold the rights of those with disabilities, especially those with mental health disorders, and to end stigma and prejudice against them.
The curriculum was titled "Social Behaviour Change Communication and Stigma Reduction for Mental Health and Disability Inclusion Intervention" and was designed to have an influence on issues of disability and mental health.
The Ghana Somubi Dwumadie initiative was behind it.
It was a joint grant with PsykForum that was facilitated by the non-governmental organisation (NGO), Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), and funded by UKaid and the British government.
The project has officially come to a conclusion, and a meeting has been convened to review the successes, difficulties, and future plans.
The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the Department of Social Welfare, religious leaders, the media, and individuals with disabilities were among the important parties represented at the event.
Background
A collaboration managed by Options and including Basic Needs Ghana, Kings College London, Sightsavers International, and Tropical Health is in charge of the four-year Ghana Somubi Dwumadie project.
The Ghana Somubi Dwumadie has given HFFG and Psykforum a grant to advance mental health and disability inclusion in Ghana.
The programme, which had a start date of April 26, 2021, and an end date of April 28, 2023, was designed to lessen the stigma and discrimination that people with disabilities, particularly those with mental health disorders, must contend with.
The two-year initiative focused on three key areas, including the promotion of positive language about impairments, ensuring that people with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else and are respected, and enabling them to participate fully in their diverse communities.
Achievements
Cecilia Senoo, HFFG's executive director, said that the project had succeeded in its primary goals, which included establishing a positive disability language in the various communities, fostering a culture of support in their families and communities, creating an enabling setting, and receiving encouraging feedback.
She claimed that the scheme has significantly reduced the number of people with disabilities who have suicidal thoughts by forcing them to attend counselling sessions.
Ms. Senoo added that all eight districts in the Savannah and North East regions were in various stages of approval and that certain districts' by-laws had included provisions on stigma and prejudice. Central Gonja's sections had already been approved.
She added, "We have achieved a lot with the numbers, and that is encouraging." She went on to say that it has put people with disabilities in contact with law enforcement authorities, where they could call and report incidences of stigma and discrimination.
Challenges and the future
According to Nancy Ansah Cobbah, Director of Programmes at HFFG, the initiative initially struggled to reach out to people with disabilities but ultimately succeeded and received an excellent response.
However, Ms. Cobbah said that HFFG was looking forward to continuing the initiative in each area, adding that the different institutions needed to step up and keep spreading awareness of the important concerns.
"All stakeholders at the national, regional, district, and community levels must take actions to reduce stigma and discrimination against persons with disabilities and mental health conditions to ensure that they are engaged, empowered, and able to enjoy improved social and economic outcomes and rights," she emphasised.
Strengthening message
Matthias Aneinini, a grant advisor for Ghana Somubi Dwumadie, praised the HFFG for working on the project and suggested that the NGO make sure that knowledge and skills are passed on to future generations.
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