How inclusion ambassadors are decreasing incapacity stigma and discrimination in Ghana | Blogs

As a part of Ghana Somubi Dwumadie (Ghana Participation Programme), 45 inclusion ambassadors have been recruited to sort out unfavourable attitudes, discrimination and stigma towards individuals with disabilities and psychological well being situations in Ghana.

In November 2020, a formative study performed by Ghana Somubi Dwumadie discovered that unfavourable attitudes, discrimination and stigma associated to incapacity, together with psychological well being situations, are widespread in Ghana. This presents a significant barrier to equitably accessing schooling, well being and social alternatives.

In Ghana, there are few programmes addressing the stigma and discrimination confronted by individuals with disabilities and psychological well being situations. Launched in January 2020, Ghana Somubi Dwumadie is a four-year incapacity programme with a particular concentrate on psychological well being that goals to sort out stigma and discrimination. The programme is funded by UK help and run by a consortium led by Options; consortium members embody Fundamental Wants Ghana, King’s School London, Sightsavers, and Tropical Well being.

Ghana Somubi Dwumadie focuses on 4 key areas:

• Selling stronger insurance policies and methods that respect the rights of individuals with disabilities, together with individuals with psychological well being disabilities
• Scaling up high-quality and accessible psychological well being providers
• Lowering stigma and discrimination
• Producing proof to tell coverage and apply on the effectiveness of incapacity and psychological well being programmes and interventions

In December 2021, the programme launched a name for proposals for civil society organisations, organisations of individuals with disabilities (OPDs) and self-help teams (whose members have first-hand expertise of specific life or well being points) to use for funding to hold out social behaviour change (SBC) actions.

SBC is about influencing individuals to hold out wholesome and inclusive behaviours and making a supportive setting for these to flourish. It could actually create long-lasting optimistic impacts on all kinds of well being areas. SBC is a vital strategy in decreasing stigma as a result of it promotes social inclusion by shifting dangerous norms and unfavourable stereotypes.

One of many 5 organisations that efficiently utilized for funding was VOICE Ghana, an organisation of individuals with disabilities. As a part of the implementation, VOICE Ghana proposed recruiting inclusion ambassadors as one of many undertaking’s methods. An inclusion ambassador is an influential particular person with or with out a incapacity who is chosen by group leaders and self-help teams to advocate and spearhead points regarding the rights of individuals with disabilities, together with individuals with psychological well being situations. Inclusion ambassadors are distinctive as they're influential individuals from quite a lot of backgrounds who're function fashions of their communities. This standing allows them to probably result in change in group behaviour.