The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) mandates States Parties to uphold the rights of individuals with disabilities, urging governments to foster their inclusion in all aspects of life. Local levels play a crucial role in this, as the CRPD highlights that disability results from the interaction between individuals and their physical and social environments. Barriers faced by persons with disabilities are often social, environmental, and cultural, manifesting concretely within local communities. Therefore, local planning must address these barriers and promote inclusive structures. Following its ratification of the CRPD in 2012, Ghana began implementing legislative and policy measures at various government levels. This raises questions about how these measures are being adopted in Ghanaian districts and which local implementation approaches are effective. Researchers from the University of Ghana's Department of Social Work and the Centre for Planning and Evaluation of Social Services at the University of Siegen conducted a pilot project in Suhum Municipal from July 2017 to June 2018 to explore these issues. This report presents the findings of a qualitative baseline study on support systems and social service arrangements for persons with disabilities in Suhum, conducted in late 2017 as part of the project.
