The Pan African Organization for Research and Protection of Violence on Women and Children (PAORP-VWC), organized a highly productive one-day workshop aimed at addressing the issue of Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Ghana.
The workshop, which took place at Kintampo on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, brought together a diverse group of partners and dedicated volunteers who are committed to eliminating these diseases from the target communities in the country.
This was made possible through the generous funding provided by the project funding partners, ANESVAD Foundation, a renowned non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable populations around the world.
Skin NTDs are a group of debilitating diseases that primarily affect marginalized communities in tropical regions. These diseases, including conditions such as Buruli ulcer, leprosy, yaws, and others, not only cause physical suffering but also have significant social and economic impacts on affected individuals and communities.
The goal of the workshop was to create a platform for knowledge sharing, capacity building, and collaborative action to effectively combat and eliminate Skin NTDs in Ghana. The event commenced with an opening ceremony, during which the Director of PAORP-VWC, Dr Peter Ndonwie (PhD) delivered an inspiring speech that highlighted the importance of collective efforts in achieving the desired outcome.
Throughout the day, participants engaged in a series of interactive sessions, presentations, and group discussions, developing action plans for their respective project areas.
Sessions of the workshop covered a wide range of topics, including disease surveillance and monitoring, prevention strategies, early diagnosis, treatment options, and community engagement approaches.
Discussions emphasized on the significance of a multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach to address Skin NTDs. Participants drawn from the three (3) selected project districts, including; Kintampo South, East Mamprusi, and Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem, actively exchanged ideas, shared best practices, and explored innovative solutions to overcome challenges associated with disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Providing an opportunity for networking and establishing partnerships among organizations and individuals working towards a common goal.
The workshop concluded on a positive note, with participants expressing their commitment to implementing the knowledge gained and leveraging the partnerships formed to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals affected by Skin NTDs in Ghana.
Speaking to Divine News, Director of PAORP-VWC, Dr Peter Ndonwie (PhD) extended gratitude to the ANESVAD Foundation for their generous support, as well as the Ghana Health Service (GHS) for their partnership and commitment in ensuring the eradication/elimination of Skin NTDs in the country.
He noted the essence of bringing together the CSOs and other partners is to collaborate with PAORP-VWC to spread their messages across the length and breadth of their respective communities.
“We believe that we cannot achieve the objectives of this project without bringing everybody on board, and so we see the CSOs as key players in what we are doing”, Dr Ndonwie stated.
Moving forward, the collective efforts of PAORP-VWC, partner organisations, volunteers, and the support of the ANESVAD Foundation are poised to play an instrumental role in reducing the burden of Skin NTDs in Ghana, promoting health equity, and improving the overall well-being of affected communities. This is in line with mobilising community efforts to contribute to the achievement of the Ghana NTD Master Plan 2021-2025 in Controlling, Eliminating and Eradicating Skin NTDs in three Districts Across Ghana.
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