Inclusion Ghana

History

Inclusion Ghana, a member of Inclusion International, is a network organisation working to reduce stigmatization and ensure full inclusion of all persons with intellectual disability and their families by advocating for their rights and needs.

The idea of Inclusion Ghana started in 2006 when the first discussions were held between the various Disabled People Organisations in Ghana working with persons with intellectual disabilities (PWID) to create a platform that unifies the voices of PWID and their families. It was difficult to agree on a common structure then. In 2007, these organisations requested LEV National Association in Denmark to facilitate the process of establishing an umbrella organisation to co-ordinate and strengthen information sharing, networking and cooperation between organisations working with PWIDs. Discussion continued until 25th November, 2009 when Inclusion Ghana was formally established and duly registered with the Registrar General’s Department.

Our Vision

Equal opportunities and inclusion for all persons with intellectual disability in Ghana

Our Mission

To reduce stigmatization and ensure full inclusion of persons with intellectual disability and their families in Ghana by advocating for their rights and needs

Our Values

We the board, staff and member organisations of Inclusion Ghana hold the following values to be the foundation of our identity as a community. We pledge ourselves to act, in the totality of our life together, in accord with these values:

• We value the development of the potential of each person with an intellectual disability in an atmosphere characterized by love, respect and creativity
• We advocate and promote the rights of persons with intellectual disability and their families
• We foster partnership and collaboration in community inclusion of persons with intellectual disability and their families
• We demonstrate integrity through honesty, civility, and fairness
• We embrace the diversity of individuals, ideas, and expressions
• We exercise stewardship of our global community

Core Service Areas

The four (4) key intervention areas for Inclusion Ghana are:

Training

• Strengthening the capacity and existing institutional and organizational structures of member organisations to support their quality service delivery to persons with intellectual disability and their families

Research

• Identifying and promoting research that will improve the lives of persons with intellectual disability and their families

Education

• Maintaining an authoritative body of intellectual disability information and knowledge
• Supporting proactive community outreach and education of member organisations
• Providing accessible and relevant information that supports stakeholder ability to make informed choices

Advocacy

• Advocating for inclusion, and participation in all aspects of life for persons with intellectual disability and their families
• Proactively informing, influencing, guiding and developing public policy at the community, regional and national levels in collaboration with the greater disability community
• Supporting court action or other initiatives by Parents of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities to demand their children’s rights