Background
Ghana has implemented numerous poverty reduction policies and pro-poor programs aimed at improving the lives of the poor, vulnerable, and excluded. Initiatives like the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) have been pivotal. However, people with mental health conditions, their caregivers, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) often face significant challenges in accessing these interventions, including the 3% disability component in the DACF, LEAP cash transfers, and psychotropic medicines under the government’s ‘Free Mental Health’ policy.

An interface meeting is a crucial platform that facilitates face-to-face engagements between SHGs and key officials of Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs). The programme through its consortium partner BasicNeeds-Ghana, leveraged these meetings to provide an opportunity for SHGs and duty bearers to familiarise themselves with each other, discuss mandates, rights, and interests, and lobby for the inclusion of SHG members in various social protection programs.

Description
We invite you to a webinar titled "The Value of Interface Meetings between Self Help Groups and Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies," where we will delve into the importance of these meetings in strengthening the support systems for people with mental health conditions and their caregivers. The session will cover best practices for engaging with MMDAs, explore some key issues addressed during interface meetings, and share success stories of how these interactions have enhanced access to social protection schemes like the DACF, LEAP, and NHIS.

Moderator: Peter Badimak Yaro, Executive Director of BasicNeeds-Ghana
Speaker: Adam Dokurugu Yahaya, Head of Programmes at BasicNeeds-Ghana

This webinar was held on 28th August 2024 at 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM (UTC)