THE DESCRIPTION OF GHANA SOCIETY OF THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED (GSPD)
BACKGROUND HISTORY
Ghana Society of Physically Disabled (GSPD) is an Non Governmental
Organisation (NGO) formed in 1980, by some few physically challenged.
It was born as a result of the negative attitude towards PWDs in the
society they live in. And also the lack of equal opportunity they
face in their the country. GSPD aims at taking care of the welfare
of its members and lobbying and advocating for their rights.
MEMBER BASE
Presently GSPD has about 2000 members through out the 10 regions in
Ghana. The Greater Accra regional branch which I belong has about 50
member. It has 3 district under the region. About 60% of this are
female, 28% male and 2% parents of children with disability. The
ages ranges between 16 – 70 years. Most of the members live in
the city. About 6 member come from surrounding villages. Most
members have had some sort of education but very few have reached a
higher level. As a result of this many of the member have no skills
and therefore have no jobs. The type of disability includes polio
victims, paralysis cause by diseases, amputees and hunchbacks.
ACHIEVEMENT
The membership of GSPD has increased over the years gradually. Most
of GSPD members who were on the street begging have stopped as a
result of continues awareness creation and capacity building. Most
members who used to crawl on the ground have been provided with
wheelchairs through lobbying and advocation. Some few member have
been sponsored to get vocational skills. Others have also gain
employment through the help of GSPD.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
GSPD has very few financial support. It has a national secretariat
in the premises of Department of Social Welfare. The office is
equiped with 2 computers, 1 photo copier and some other things. GSPD
lobby and get funds from some NGOs like DHF, VSO, AP&B etc. My
local organisation hold meetings in one of the classrooms of the
Rehabilitation centre of Dept of Soc. Welf. We also depend very much
on the resourses in the
HUMAN RESOURCE / THEIR CAPACITY
The national secretariat has 5 paid staffs. An administrator,
administrative clerk, a secretary, a driver and a watchman. The
national exective board of GSPD also supervise the staffs and help
running the office without fee.
ALLIES AND ENEMIES
GSPD has a collaboration with other disability organisation like the
association of the blind, deaf and the mentally handicap. It also
coperate with NGOs like VSO, DHF, AB&P and some others.
However, there are some competetive NGOs like Hope For life which
entice Pwds with money and assersitive devices. This makes some
member run away and join them. Other Pwds also complain a lot.
ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING
GSPD Accra branch is in the centre of the capital city of Ghana. The
compound is not tarred and the building is not all that accessible
PROBLEM
Most member cannot read and write. Few are umployed many have no
assersitive device.