The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) has marked the end of the “Strengthening the Disability Movement in Ghana for Change” project, a four-year initiative aimed at empowering the disability movement and promoting disability inclusion in the Ghanaian society.
A closing ceremony was held in Accra on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, to commemorate the project’s completion.
The project was funded by Disabled People’s Organisations Denmark (DPOD), a Danish umbrella organisation that advocates for the rights of people with disabilities.
The project, which commenced in 2020, focused on three main outcomes: strengthening GFD’s organisational systems, promoting disability-inclusive policies, and ensuring disability-specific data is used to inform policymaking.
According to GFD, the project has achieved significant milestones, including improved organisational governance, increased advocacy capacity, and enhanced collaboration with stakeholders.
The project has also led to the development of disability-friendly data collection tools and the integration of the Washington Group Short Set of Disability Questions (WGQ) in the 2021 census questionnaire.
The project has further contributed to key policy discussions, influencing national policies on disability inclusion.
GFD played a collaborative role in the review of the new District Assemblies Common Fund Guidelines and advocated for the passage of the Disability Bill, which was approved after a 100-day national campaign.
Despite encountering challenges such as resource constraints, institutional capacity gaps, and external policy barriers, the project has been deemed a success.
GFD has expressed gratitude to its funding partners, member organisations, government stakeholders, and development partners for their support.
The project’s impact is expected to be sustained through GFD’s continued advocacy efforts and its strengthened organisational systems.
GFD’s strategic direction includes advocating for improved access to healthcare, education, social protection support, governance, and civic participation for persons with disabilities.
The GFD President, Mr. Joseph Homadzi, expressed optimism about the project’s outcomes and the organisation’s future plans to continue promoting disability inclusion and advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities in healthcare and health facilities, education, social protection support, governance, and civic participation.
The project has also made significant progress in promoting disability-inclusive policies and practices, with a focus on employment, accessibility, and media exposure.
The GFD’s strategic outcomes include improving the lives of persons with disabilities through advocacy, capacity building, and strategic partnerships.
The organisation’s mandate is to promote inclusive development, pursue the rights of persons with disabilities, and build strategic partnerships with organisations and institutions interested in disability issues.
Overall, the “Strengthening the Disability Movement in Ghana for Change” project has been a success, with significant achievements in promoting disability inclusion and empowering the disability movement in Ghana.
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SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com
