Community Mental Health Volunteers and relevant Duty Bearers (Mental Health Officer and Officers of Department of Social Development) in the Twifo Atti-morkwa, Ajumako/Enyan/ Essiam and Abura/ Asebu/ Kwamankese Districts of the Central Region of Ghana have been trained to use short messaging services (SMS) on their mobile phones to report and respond to issues affecting people with mental illness and epilepsy.
The training was organized by the Human Rights Advocacy Centre (HRAC), MindFreedom Ghana (MFGh), and BasicNeeds Ghana as part of activities of the “Promoting quality access to mental health care and rights of persons with mental disabilities in traditional mental health centers in Ghana” Project.
The two and half year project is supported by STAR-Ghana under its Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Call with funding from the UKAid, DANIDA and the European Union (EU). The overall objective of the project is to advocate for the improvement of mental health care services and treatment in traditional mental health centers and ensure equitable access to psycho-social support and human rights protection of persons with mental disabilities.
It is estimated that over 2.8 million persons live with mental disabilities in Ghana, 650,000 of whom suffer severe forms of mental illness (Human Rights Watch, 2012). However, as of 2011, there were only 12 psychiatrists and 600 psychiatric nurses in the country presenting a ratio of 0.07 specialists per 100,000 populations. Given that there is one psychiatrist per 1.5 million people in the whole country, and that the three major psychiatric hospitals are under-financed, congested and under-staffed, many people and/or their relations resort to the more ever-present, easily accessible and more affordable, traditional and/or faith-based healing options (Fournier, 2011).
More problematic and deep rooted is the social perception that mental illness is largely caused by ‘evil spirits’. Therefore, a ‘spiritual’ remedy must be sought for the treatment of the mental health condition. Sadly, these traditional mental health centers are unregulated in their operations and neither certified to provide minimum standards of treatment for mental illness.
Participants at the training were sensitized on minimum standards and conditions that must prevail in Traditional Mental Homes/Centres (TMHC) in line with the Mental Health Authority Guidelines for Traditional and Faith-based Centres in Mental Healthcare as well as existing channels of reporting on how to address challenges that arise in relation to their regular visits to the TMHCs.
Based on these learning, participants were taken through the relevance of information sharing, core principles and ethics of reporting, as well as some tit bits of mobile phone security to facilitate an effective process of using their mobile phones to report cases.
Participants can now anonymously report cases of anomalies and abuse of the rights of persons with mental disabilities identified during their regular visits to the TMHCs through text messaging – sent directly to the mobile phones of Mental Health Officers or Officers of the Department of Social Development for redress.
In attendance were representatives of Human Rights Advocacy Centre (HRAC), MindFreedom Ghana (MFGh), BasicNeeds Ghana and STAR-Ghana.
Related projects
Capacity of persons with various forms of disabilities enhanced to report cases of abuse of their rights using mobile technology
15 Persons with various forms of disability have been trained to use the STAR-Ghana SMS Platform to engage with officers of the Domestic Violence & Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police and legal experts for the reportage of human rights abuse and the solicitation of legal advise respectively.
The STAR-Ghana SMS Platform is a digital platform that enables trained Citizen representatives (Citizen Rapporteurs) particularly in remote and marginalised communities to open instant dialogues with local government officials or duty bearers via a short message system (SMS).
The training was organized in February 2018 across three regions of Ghana: Greater Accra, Brong Ahafo and the Volta regions. The training forms part of the “Gender Inclusion and Voices on Equality Sustained” (GIVES) Project of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), supported by STAR-Ghana and Funded by the UKAid, DANIDA and the European Union.
The GIVES project adopts a comprehensive human rights perspective to address intra-gender violence prevention. It seeks to contribute towards a more inclusive generation of DOVVSU data, that captures violence offenses against socially excluded groups such as Women living with HIV (WLHIV) and Women and girls living with disabilities.
This will ensure that service mechanisms are more responsive to socially excluded groups at both the national and regional level. Again, the project will enhance access to basic legal support for WLHIV and Women and girls living with disabilities.
Participants at the training – carefully selected from various disability groups – were sensitized on among other things: The Disability Act, the Rights of the Ghanaian Child, Marriage laws and Intestate Succession in Ghana, the Domestic Violence Act, the Rights of the Ghanaian Woman, Mediation & Counselling, some Legal Ethics and the role of the paralegal.
Based on these learning, participants were taken through the relevance of information sharing, core principles and ethics of reporting, as well as some tit bits of mobile phone security to facilitate an effective process of using their mobile phones to report cases.
Participants can now anonymously report cases of abuse against persons with various forms of disability through text messaging, sent directly to the mobile phones of officers of DOVVSU for response, or to legal experts for legal advise depending on the subject matter.
In attendance were representatives of FIDA, DOVVSU and STAR-Ghana.
Election 2016: STAR grant partners reflect on lessons learnt
STAR-Ghana’s first call for grant proposals supported initiatives promoting peaceful, credible, issues-based and inclusive presidential and parliamentary elections for Ghana in 2016. Out of the 219 organisations that responded to the call, 35 were awarded grants totalling $US2,216,167.
At an end of project event in March 2017, STAR’s Election 2016 grant partners were asked what learning they would take away.
Influence
Through its STAR-Ghana project, Abantu for Development found that political parties are critical actors in promoting women’s rights, participation and representation in elections as they have the power to make public appointments. They also believe media are vital.
ISODEC, a Ghanaian, rights-based public policy research and advocacy organisation, learned that political parties seemed to be much more organised and have greater pulling power on constituents than civil society organisations (CSOs). ‘Political parties tended to respond to opportunities to reach out to larger audiences.’
Socioserve Ghana noted: ‘In dealing with politicians one has to be tolerant and accommodating because they can be very abrasive. They see things from a very different perspective so one needs to understand this to be able to work with them.’
The African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) came away with a sense that pre-project engagement should reach the highest levels in every institution, especially public institutions. It also suggested that grant partners needed to be ready to adapt to changing conditions or risk not achieving project objectives.
Global Action for Women Empowerment (GLOWA) learned that engaging district assemblies and other government institutions requires long lead times, tact, diplomacy and strong follow-up. ‘Partnering with the media, especially radio, is very critical and beneficial for election-related projects,’ the organisation said. ‘Using committed volunteers and existing structures … is very useful in reaching out to the larger population.’
Multimedia Group Limited recognised that traditional leaders continue to be key influencers in target areas and that collaboration with local police helped keep the peace even when supporters were ‘charged’. Using citizen journalist as local language translators helped steer meaningful discussion.
The National Catholic Secretariat learned that the credibility of faith groups can be enhanced by providing empirical evidence of their actions.
Selecting highly respected individuals as members of its regional media advisory committees worked for the National Media Commission as they can have a moral authority to help settle complaints.
Collaboration
The Bawku East Women's Development Association (BEWDA) learned that information sharing between stakeholders at all levels in the electoral processes maintains trust and confidence.
Citi 97.3FM reflected that having like-minded partners can lead to positive results and more effective project delivery. Meanwhile, independent television channel TV3 Ghana realised pooling resources with other organisations doing similar work helped to avoid duplication of effort and resources.
Financial Accountability and Transparency Africa (FAT-AFRICA) said it had learned it was possible to have a successful project with just a few, committed stakeholders, that good messages and good messengers are a real asset to a project, and that collaborating with other STAR grant partners had fostered deeper knowledge sharing.
In delivering its project, the Musicians’ Union of Ghana recognised the need to establish national partnerships with key media companies – including STAR grant partners GBC and Multimedia Group Limited – to ensure nationwide publicity.
For Socioserve Ghana, collaboration was key as ‘no single partner has the skill or funding to do all interventions related to elections’.
Tactics
Through its Ghana Decides 2.0: The Voices campaign, Blogging Ghana found multimedia and visual content, including infographics, effectively engages the public. It also noted: ‘State institutions can change their stance. It is worthwhile to revisit possible collaborations even if such collaborations were rejected previously.’
Foundation for Sustainable Development in Africa-Ghana (FSDA) affirmed social media as vital in arousing young people’s interest in projects.
Participation
The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation now places more importance on seeking citizens’ views and voices in providing voter education, key to free and fair elections.
As their project went on, the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations’ (GFD) noticed a gradual shift from disability issues being an afterthought to greater awareness of disability needs. ‘Strategies for effective mainstreaming is what is lacking and in most cases financial constraints,’ it said. ‘Most stakeholders were not deliberate in excluding people with disabilities, but did so due to lack of adequate knowledge.’
The Institute of Economic Affairs said debates were necessary to the success of every democracy and should be promoted, noting that ‘democratic maturity cannot be achieved overnight’. It also noted the power of social media in stirring up interest and dialogue on key issues.
IDEG on behalf of Civic Forum Initiative realised that community ownership ‘contributes immensely to the success of the project’. Election situation rooms were manned by community members, making the project part of a larger community effort towards ensuring peaceful elections.
Legal Resources Centre (LEAD) and LADA Institute noted that citizens want platforms to interact directly with duty bearers, such as the Electoral Commission and the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), on matters of concern around Ghana’s electoral processes. ‘Stakeholders feel proud to have their input considered during electoral reform processes. Some state institutions are ready and willing to work with CSOs and interact with electorate on matters of concern.’
Monitoring
Royals Health Organisation (ROHEO) noted that the transparency of the lead organisation and timely disbursement of funds from donors to partners increased collaboration and enthusiasm, while consistent monitoring of the project encouraged stakeholders to be more proactive.
Social Initiative for Literacy and Development Program (SILDEP) recognised the effectiveness of using existing community meetings and structures for voter education. Visits and monitoring by STAR-Ghana helped to further strengthen its systems and structures.
Voter education
TRADEAID Integrated, which aims to make trade work for the poor, said intensive education of the electorate by key stakeholders such as the Electoral Commission, NCCE, the media and CSOs is key to reducing the incidence of rejected ballot papers and increasing voter turnout.
Skyy Media Group noted that in Ghana’s recent history efforts to educate the electorate only happen in the year of elections. ‘Voters and the general public are bombarded with information related to the election within a limited time,’ Skyy said. ‘We believe these exercises should not be an event but a continuous process.’
Other key learning
Data analysis organisation ODEKRO learned that ranking MPs is the most valuable tool in engaging Ghanaian citizens on parliament’s work. ODEKRO acknowledged a need to engage with media to encourage coverage of the findings.
Through its STAR-Ghana grant, Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) promoted decent language, aiming to reduce hate speech. The organisation realised a need to engage political parties one-on-one on this to reduce loose or unsavoury comments.
Millennium Child Support Group noted that polling station training needed be more interactive, using role play and scenario-building to increase the capacity of staff to handle election day complaints and prevent violence. ‘Unresolved complaints are one of the main triggers for electoral violence, so the mechanisms to deal with them have to be efficient.’
USCOND learnt that government institutions sometimes lack both human and financial resources and welcome support from CSOs to make their work more effective.
Ghana Integrity Initiative (Lead), Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), CDD – Ghana and Citizens Movement Against Corruption (CMaC) learned that goals related to legislative change in the electoral framework in Ghana must be more realistic within a limited timeframe.
CILTAD/Coastal Television’s My Central Agenda Platform (MYCAP) project discovered that people intentionally sell their votes to as many as three different political parties and vote for all three, leading to the ballot being rejected. Working with traditional authorities enhanced the success of the project.
Election 2016: STAR-Ghana projects open up new opportunities
STAR-Ghana’s first call for grant proposals supported initiatives promoting peaceful, credible, issues-based and inclusive presidential and parliamentary elections for Ghana in 2016. Out of the 219 organisations that responded to the call, 35 were awarded grants totalling $US2,216,167.
Grant partners were asked what opportunities were on the horizon following their work with STAR. Here are some of their stories.
Media
Blogging Ghana said other government and independent organisations are interested in its social media training. Its work promoting the voices of young and marginalised people online could soon be rolled out in other West African countries.
Through its project, Foundation for Sustainable Development in Africa-Ghana produced social media content on the theme ‘Election is no war’, encouraging interaction between political parties and communities and laying the ground for future projects.
CILTAD/Coastal Television’s My Central Agenda Platform (MYCAP) project educated the electorate to vote based on issues. CILTAD believes voter education can be rolled out nationwide, perhaps through Facebook Live and other social media platforms. ‘The media can take this to another level,’ added CILTAD. ‘This should not just be during the election period, but also should form part of their core mandate.’
The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC)’s STAR-Ghana Presidential Encounters 2016 has positioned the national broadcaster to spearhead future presidential debates and encouraged the creation of more platforms for the voiceless in rural Ghana through new technology and new media.
Citi 97.3FM’s STAR-Ghana project has made them capable of supporting civil society organisations, pursuing longer campaigns around issues such as land grabbing and training more citizen journalists.
Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), an influential media development and freedom of expression advocacy organisation in West Africa, believes its Eminent Media Persons Group will improve professional standards and promote independent journalism in Ghana.
Multimedia Group Limited’s People, Policy & Power project promoted issue-based and responsible media coverage of the elections. It believes it can now collaborate further with local and community radio stations, increasing media reach to more remote areas.
After its STAR-Ghana project enhanced media regulation and established mechanisms for settling complaints for or against the media, the National Media Commission has been looking into establishing regional media advisory committees in underserved regions.
Upper West region radio station W93.5FM has developed a weekly programme on disability issues and shows for other minority groups. Independent television channel TV3 Ghana has identified capacity gaps in news reporting.
Skyy Media Group worked for an inclusive, violence-free 2016 election in the Western Region, where it now plans to help develop a formidable local election observation organisation.
Events management and theatre production company Globe Productions has seen interest in drama as a medium for education grow through its project, which trained 12,000 people in anger management. ‘The interesting nature of drama makes it one of the best tools for social change for the disadvantaged in our society,’ Globe said. ‘We can let the disadvantaged groups tell their own story through drama.’
Inclusion
Global Action for Women Empowerment (GLOWA) suggests the active involvement of women in their target districts during the election has increased their interest in politics and will eventually lead to some of these women taking up leadership positions, initially at grassroots level.
The Centre for Active Learning and Integrated Development (CALID) believes a more open election, and greater participation by young people, will help the Electoral Commission to build more trust and confidence.
Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) reports that its election project has enabled continuous engagement with the government on matters of inclusion, such as employment, participation and political appoitnments.
Social Initiative for Literacy and Development Program (SILDEP) has heralded the use of local dialects and sign language during the elections, following its Mini-Max Voter Education 2016 project.
USCOND, which promoted the agenda of women, people with disabilities and young people during the election, said there has since been an agreement with the National Commission for Civic Education, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, media partners and the Electoral Commission to hold regular meetings on electoral education.
TRADEAID Integrated, which aims to make trade work for the poor, said collaborations developed through its STAR-Ghana project would be further strengthened in future programme planning. ‘Another emerging opportunity is the community led voter education concept, [which] could be adapted and used for implementation in our food security programme,’ the organisation said.
As a result of its project, the African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA) believes it will be able to provide more gender training for police personnel, while training manuals it developed can be enhanced and used with other groups.
Abantu for Development has deepened its long-term working relationships with policy makers and actors including the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, political parties, civil society organisations, women’s organisations and other grant STAR-Ghana grant partners.
The Bawku East Women's Development Association (BEWDA) suggests the Bawku Inter-Ethnic Peace Committee (BIEPC) is now better positioned to intervene in sensitive matters that could trigger trouble in the area and celebrated the emergence of youth and women peace ambassadors.
For NORSAAC, an organisation committed to empowering women and young people in Ghana’s northern region, highlighted the ‘opportunity to partner with other organisations working on elections and governance in the other regions of Ghana through the learning among STAR-Ghana grant partners’.
Good governance
The STAR-Ghana funded report Sixth Parliament of the Fourth Republic of Ghana by ODEKRO – an open data analysis organisation – has opened up opportunities to expand its work beyond monitoring of transparency to the effectiveness of the parliamentary services. ODEKRO is now working with other CSOs who want to engage with parliament based on the data they have.
ISODEC, a Ghanaian, rights-based public policy research and advocacy organisation, believes monitoring political parties’ manifestos will now be much easier, and suggested political parties might be required to present their manifestos within a certain timeframe in future. The Institute of Economic Affairs will use manifesto scorecards as the basis of quarterly encounters with the President around manifesto promises.
Findings from the project of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) have presented opportunities for further investigations into vote buying. They see a need to broaden their work to other parts of Ghana.
Ghana Integrity Initiative (Lead), Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), CDD – Ghana and Citizens Movement Against Corruption (CMaC) ran the Promoting a more level political playing field: Reducing abuse of incumbency project. The high level of interest from citizens and politicians in incumbency abuse, electoral corruption and vote buying offers the coalition an opportunity to advocate for more lasting change on these issues and it will be arranging further policy dialogue.
Peace and faith
Following its STAR-Ghana project, which saw peace songs played on radio and three peace concerts held, the Musicians’ Union of Ghana’s national women’s organiser and regional organisers will liaise with women’s groups across the country to provide them with musical training.
The National Catholic Secretariat believes it can now transform an ad hoc interfaith platform into a formal structure for effective cooperation and partnership, promoting peaceful coexistence among religious groups and social cohesion in an era of extremism. The use of religious leaders as peer ambassadors leading ongoing engagement with their congregations, is an opportunity highlighted by Royals Health Organisation (ROHEO).
Socioserve Ghana’s Inter Party Dialogue Committees should be harnessed for future engagements, it said. ‘They are now in a better position to manage conflict situations.’