Coco Mission Africa, a non-governmental organization dedicated to advancing social inclusion, has taken a significant step toward partnership with Inclusive Family Alliance, a leading advocacy group for families of children with disabilities.
Mr Abraham Udom, Executive Director of Coco
Mission Africa on Wednesday met with parents of persons with disabilities who
are part of the Inclusive Family Alliance Community platform to know at first
hand their lived experiences and explore ways they could unite to build
suitable support systems for families.
The meeting focused on exploring practical
ways to strengthen support systems for families of children with disabilities
across Ghana.
Mr Udom who lives in the United States, has
a 16-year-old son with cerebral palsy and other condition, he said in the
States he had access to respite services which greatly helps his family but in
Ghana and other Africa countries those kinds of support systems were lacking
He expressed commitment to partner with
like-minded organisation to provide sustainable support systems in Ghana and
beyond
Mrs Hannah Awadzi, Executive Director of
Inclusive Family Alliance who welcomed the partnership and the need for
collaboration said there was the need for families to unite and build a
formidable support system for themselves.
“it is only families going through the
process of nurturing persons with disabilities especially cerebral palsy who
will understand the everyday challenges that families go through and will be
able to build formidable and sustainable support systems
Mrs Awadzi emphasized the importance of
building strong partnerships to amplify impact
The Inclusive Family Alliance has long been
a platform for caregivers to share their voices and influence policy, and this
partnership promises to expand its reach and effectiveness, she added
Discussions centered on the urgent need for
collaborative strategies that address the challenges caregivers face, including
access to resources, psychosocial support, respite services and inclusive
education opportunities.
Parents shared their lived experiences,
highlighting both the progress made through Inclusive Family Alliance’s
advocacy and the gaps that remain in service delivery.
Mrs Mbiatke Thomas, Team Lead, at Peapod
International School, an inclusive educational facility in Nigeria and a member
of the Coco Mission Africa team took parents through exercises and practical
ways to handle their children.
Mrs Thomas who is also a psychologist by
profession answered questions from parents and gave them pep talks to help them
in nurturing their children
“Families of children with disabilities
deserve coordinated support that empowers them to thrive. By working together,
we can create sustainable systems that respond to their needs,” Mrs Thomas
noted.
Both organisations committed to develop
joint programs and advocacy campaigns that will enhance community-based support
and strengthen national dialogue on disability inclusion.
