Kpeve (V/R), June 15, GNA- Stakeholders in the South Dayi District of the Volta Region have appealed to the Global Action for Women Empowerment (GLOWA) to continue its project in the district to help address issues concerning persons with disabilities (PWDs).
They said stigma and discrimination against persons with disabilities and persons with mental health conditions have seen a significant reduction in the district within the one period of GLOWA’s sensitisation programme.
They made the appeal during an exit meeting with GLOWA at Kpeve which looked at the activities of the organisation including the successes, challenges and the way forward within the period of its operations.
Madam Delali A. Ofori, the District Director of Health, in an interview with Ghana News Agency, noted that the presence of GLOWA in the district has contributed positively to the work of the Health Directorate.
She said GLOWA has supported the Mental Health Unit in its periodic home visit to educate client families to accept them and take good care of them and “we are seeing the changes in the communities through GLOWA.”
The Director said families who sent their members to prayer camps and other places where they were chained have started bringing them to health facilities for treatment, the reason they were urging GLOWA to stay and continue its project.
On the issue of drugs for the treatment of mental health patients, she said the allocation to the district was inadequate, so getting drugs for their clients all the time has been a great challenge.
Madam Ofori said mental health condition was on the increase in the district, disclosing that the major cause was drugs abuse, and that the youth were people mostly affected.
Mrs Emma Adom, Director of Social Welfare and Community Development said her outfit has also received support from GLOWA since its inception in the district in addressing issues of persons with disabilities
She said much awareness has also been created about the rights of persons with disabilities and persons with mental health conditions through GLOWA’s advocacy programme and that people were beginning to refrain from infringing on their rights.
Madam Ivy Bedy, Project Officer at GLOWA said persons with disabilities could explore their potential and make meaningful contributions towards the development of the country when given the needed opportunity.
She urged the citizens to join the campaign against the stigma and discrimination against persons with disabilities and persons with mental health conditions.
The Project Officer said it was the responsibility of all to ensure that the rights of persons with disabilities were protected and wondered why most institutions still do not comply with the Disability Act.
Madam Bedy asked the stakeholders to continue with the sensitisation and the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities and persons with mental health conditions.
The Project Officer was grateful to the stakeholders for their support during the one period of GLOWA’s operation in the district. GLOWA has been in the district for a year project, focusing on eliminating stigma and discrimination against persons with disabilities and persons with mental health conditions.
The project forms part of a 12-month disability and mental health focused programme, Ghana Somubi Dwumadie (Ghana Participation Programme), with funding support from UKAID through Option’s Led Consortium.
GNA