Ghana Somubi Dwumadie (Ghana Participation Programme), the collaborative initiative dedicated to advancing the rights and well-being of people with disabilities and mental health conditions, came to a close after four years with a celebratory conference in Accra on Thursday, September 12, 2024.
The programme, launched in March 2020 amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, has had a profound impact on the lives of 155,203 individuals across Ghana. Through a range of activities, the programme has worked tirelessly to improve the social and economic outcomes of individuals with disabilities and mental health conditions, striving to create a more inclusive and equitable society in Ghana.
“We began our journey at a time of great uncertainty,” said Lyla Adwan-Kamara, Team Leader of Ghana Somubi Dwumadie. “But through collaboration with partners, we were able to support organisations and self-help groups to overcome some of the COVID-related challenges faced by people with disabilities and mental health conditions.”
The programme achieved many successes:
COVID-19 Psychosocial Resilience Grants (2020-2021): These grants helped organisations and self-help groups overcome COVID-related challenges faced by individuals with disabilities and mental health conditions.
• Evidence and Effectiveness Grants for Mental Health and Disability Stigma Reduction (2021-2023): These grants funded projects aimed at reducing stigma and discrimination towards people with disabilities and mental health conditions.
• Sustainability and Legacy Grants to Promote User-Led Approaches towards Mental Health and Disability Inclusion (2022-2023): These grants supported user-led initiatives to promote inclusion and empower people with disabilities.
• Research and evidence generation: A total of 14 research papers were produced, with nine already published in academic journals, providing valuable insights into the challenges and solutions for improving disability and mental health services.
• Capacity building: Training was provided for 423 healthcare workers, and 261 local authorities were supported in mainstreaming disability activities into their work plans.
• Policy advocacy: The programme actively advocated for the implementation of the 2022 disability commitments by the government of Ghana, and piloted district mental healthcare plans in the Bongo, Asunafo North, and Anloga districts.
The closing conference provided a platform for stakeholders to celebrate the programme’s successes and to deliberate on how to sustain the gains made.
“While we are saddened to close this chapter, we are encouraged by the progress we have made,” said Adwan-Kamara. “We are confident that the lessons learned and the relationships built will continue to drive positive change for people with disabilities and mental health conditions in Ghana.”
The ceremony brought together a diverse group of attendees, including funding and implementing partners, advisory board members, beneficiaries, and representatives from supporting organisations.
Several individuals and organisations were recognised for their significant contributions to the programme’s success with awards presented during the event.
About Ghana Somubi Dwumadie
Ghana Somubi Dwumadie (Ghana Participation Programme) was funded by UK aid from the UK government and implemented by a consortium led by Options Consultancy Services. The consortium partners included BasicNeeds-Ghana, King’s College London, Sightsavers, and Tropical Health.
The programme’s conclusion marks the beginning of a new chapter for disability and mental health advocacy in Ghana. The lessons learned and the momentum generated will continue to shape a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com