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ADD

Action on Disability and Development

Action on Disability and Development (ADD) has a vision of a world where all disabled people are able to participate as fully as they choose at every level of society. They believe that all people have the same fundamental rights to determine their futures and control decisions that affect their lives. This includes the same rights to: inclusion in society; enough food and clean water; health care and education; a home and relationships; respect; access to decision making; a livelihood; mobility; safety; influence and recreation.

ADD opened its Ghana programme in 1994 and works primarily with rights based organisations of people with disability, supporting them with information, training and funding. Working alongside these organisations, ADD looks to build capacity and to encourage people with disability to be effective advocates campaigning for their social rights to inclusion.

ADD Ghana works in three of the northern regions in Ghana and here they work with partners including :

  • Ghana Association of the Blind (GAB)
  • Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD)
  • Ghana Society for the Physically Disabled (GSPD)
  • Association of Parents and Guardians of Children with Disability (APGWCD)

    At the national level ADD Ghana also liaises with Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD) who act as an umbrella organisation.

    Tools for Self Reliance began its work with ADD Ghana in 1996 . Through this partnership ADD identifies artisan groups who need assistance to build their income generating activities and then links them to the support Tools for Self Reliance is able to offer. ADD Ghana, whilst focusing specifically on people with disability, also works with able-bodied groups to help them access the support offered by TFSR.

    Super Shoe shop
    Young apprentice at Super Shoe shop, Tamale

    In addition to the support offered through the provision of tools, ADD and TFSR also work together to offer business and skills training to artisans. In 2004 Tools for Self Reliance helped to fund a sewing machine refurbishing course in Bolgatanga, North East Ghana.

    Tarzan Nasara
    Tarzan Nasara repairs a sewing machine.

    For further information on ADD Ghana: www.add.org.uk

Tools for Self Reliance: Stories from Africa

Sewing Machine Training

The lack of qualified people able to repair sewing machines means that many artisans can lose their means of income when their machines break down. Action on Disability and Development (ADD) in Ghana have designed and facilitated a comprehensive training course to show artisans exactly how to keep their machines working and maintained.

Girls Growth and Development

Tools for Self Reliance works with people like Stella Ntori who set up a small community based organisation that works with young girls and provides them with a wide range of activities and programmes.

The Super Shoe Shop

In a small side street in Tamale, alongside a busy primary school, lies the Super Shoe Shop. It is just one of the businesses who have been supported by Tools for Self Reliance.