Nine civil society organisations awarded mental health and disability inclusion grants

Group photo at the end of the Capacity Building of Evidence & Effectiveness Grantees for Mental Health and Disability in Accra on April 30, 2021

26th April 2021: Ghana Somubi Dwumadie team

Ghana Somubi Dwumadie (Ghana Participation Programme) has awarded evidence and effectiveness grants for mental health and disability inclusion, to nine civil society organisations (CSOs) in Ghana, to ensure that persons with disabilities, including mental health disabilities, are in the lead on approaches to improve their wellbeing, social economic outcomes, and rights.

The grants, totalling almost GHS 7,000,000, are funded with UK aid from the UK government. It is made up of 4 large grants receiving up to GHS 600,000 per year for nearly 3 years, and 5 small grants of up to GHS 200,000 each for 12 months. The awardees will provide support and empower persons with disabilities, including mental health disabilities, to participate fully in their communities, and having their voices heard and incorporated in policies and programmes that affect them directly.

The nine recipient bodies are a selection of organisations of people with disabilities, self-help groups and other CSOs working in the disability and mental health space in Ghana. This provision of funding support for disability and mental health is in line with Ghanaian calls for better disability inclusion, and greater investment in mental health. The new grant is expected to support in removing the barriers which prevent people with disabilities, including people with mental health conditions, from reaching their full potential.