How User-Led and Policy-Level Approaches Complement Each Other: Lessons from Ghana

Authors

  • Vivian F. Sarpomaa Fiscian Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion, and Gender-Based Violence Expert Consultant at The World Bank, formerly Leadership and Governance Advisor at Options Consultancy Services Ltd.
  • Alice Tilton Public Health Registrar, National Health Service formerly Principal Consultant at Options Consultancy Services Ltd
  • Lyla Adwan-Kamara Freelance disability and mental health consultant, formerly Team Leader at Options Consultancy Services Ltd

Keywords:

Disability Inclusion, Mental Health Conditions, User-Led, Policy Reform

Abstract

This article examines how a nationwide disability and mental health programme in Ghana practically applied user-led principles throughout its work by bringing together people with disabilities or mental health conditions with policy-makers. Using key lessons learned and illustrative case studies highlighting three different activity areas under the programme, this article explores how policy-makers benefit from better understanding user perspectives, and how ordinary people can be supported to engage with and even influence policy-making and achieve lasting change. Our experiences showed that combining user-led and policy-level approaches can bring issues to life, build consensus and help to establish the conditions for sustainable change through more responsive policy-making and constructive collaboration.

We recommend that programme interventions attempting to achieve policy-level change foreground the experiences and expertise of the people affected, and provides them with capacity-strengthening support so they can fully engage at the policy level. Furthermore, we advocate for supporting civil society actors in thinking politically and identifying ways to foster ownership and stewardship among policymakers and implementers. This holistic approach ensures that changes are sustainable and truly reflective of the needs of the community.

Author Biographies

Vivian F. Sarpomaa Fiscian, Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion, and Gender-Based Violence Expert Consultant at The World Bank, formerly Leadership and Governance Advisor at Options Consultancy Services Ltd.

Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion, and Gender-Based Violence Expert Consultant at The World Bank, formerly Leadership and Governance Advisor at Options Consultancy Services Ltd.

Alice Tilton, Public Health Registrar, National Health Service formerly Principal Consultant at Options Consultancy Services Ltd

Public Health Registrar, National Health Service formerly Principal Consultant at Options Consultancy Services Ltd

Lyla Adwan-Kamara, Freelance disability and mental health consultant, formerly Team Leader at Options Consultancy Services Ltd

Freelance disability and mental health consultant, formerly Team Leader at Options Consultancy Services Ltd

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Published

2026-06-18

How to Cite

Sarpomaa Fiscian, V. F., Tilton, A., & Adwan-Kamara, L. (2026). How User-Led and Policy-Level Approaches Complement Each Other: Lessons from Ghana. Canadian Journal of Disability Studies, 15(2), 246–272. Retrieved from https://cjds.uwaterloo.ca/index.php/cjds/article/view/1386

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2026): Centering Inclusive Education of the African Continent

Section

Articles

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