Mr Joseph Whittal, Commissioner, Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice has called for the prioritisation and protection of the fundamental human rights of people with disabilities and mental health conditions.

He made this call when he spoke as a guest speaker at the screening of six short films by Ghana Somubi Dwumadie on their COVID-19 Psychosocial Resilience Grants which showcases the work of their COVID-19 grantees.

The films catalogue the impact stories of six of the grantees who were successful in accessing the COVID-19 Psychosocial and Resilience Grants Call, funded with UK Aid from the UK government.

Mr Joseph Whittal bemoaned how little is invested in the empowerment of people with disabilities and mental health conditions.

He appreciated the COVID-19 grants extended to the grantees emphasising that people with disabilities including people with mental health conditions have a role to play in the social development of Ghana and must therefore have their capacities strengthened in order to promote their effective contribution to national development.


The six short films highlighted the contributions that people with disabilities, including people with mental health conditions, as well as frontline health workers, made in their communities during the midst of the pandemic.

This includes sensitising their communities on the need for safety protocols like mask-wearing, hand hygiene, social distancing, and providing psychological first aid and support to people affected by the pandemic.