CEDEP from 2011 to 2018 implemented the Mental Health and Development project. With funding from Department for International Development (DFID) through BasicNeeds Ghana, CEDEP has:

• Identified and mobilized 544 People with mental illness and/ or epilepsy (PWMIE) 
• Supported the establishment of 23 community mental health unit in districts for PWMIE to access services
• Conducted outreach clinics with Specialist Psychiatrist
• Formed Self Help Groups (SHGs) and their capacities built on leadership skills, group dynamics, local advocacy, record keeping and book keeping
• Supported stabilized PWMIE and their primary Care-givers with capital to return to gainful economic activities

CEDEP has continued with its participation in activities of the Mental Health Alliance to join forces to raise advocacy efforts to realise improved mental health and human rights in Ghana. Staff of CEDEP undertook the World Health Organization (WHO) Quality Rights Assessment tool kit training as part of activities of the project “Empowering People with Psychosocial Disabilities to fight for their rights” in Ghana. CEDEP also supported the Mental Health Society of Ghana (MEHSOC) in its new Anti-stigma Campaign aimed at reducing the levels of stigma and discrimination faced by those with personal experience of mental health problems. This is a largely digital campaign that focused on Facebook and Twitter to promote content that challenges common myths surrounding mental health problems. 

As the Ashanti Regional host of Mental Health Alliance, CEDEP facilitates the celebration of World Mental Health Day in the region every year. 

Second Year of Life (2YL) Social Mobilization and Demand Generation Activities for Immunization in Kumasi Metro

This activity was supported by the Ghana Coalition of NHGOs in Health (GCNH). The goal of the project is to save children’s lives and protect people’s health by increasing access to immunization in Kumasi metro.  

Community engagement activities were conducted with traditional and community leaders in hard to reach communities to create awareness on the importance of immunization for every child and also to solicit for active male involvement in the process. Project activities also target identifiable groups; Drivers, beauticians, youth groups, religious associations, market queens and Kayayies etc. 

CEDEP collaborated with staff of Ghana Health Service (GHS) in community outreaches while children up to age 5 who had missed their vaccination received catch-up vaccinations during the process. 

Community stakeholders (Opinion leaders and religious leaders) were encouraged to assist in propagating the message on the benefits of immunization through information centres, churches and mosques to encourage parents to bring their children for Child Welfare Clinic (CWC). To enable parents’ access immunization services, service providers have decided to create more static sites and zones in the communities. Community outreach activities were conducted in Tafo, Pankrono, Bantama, Moshie Zongo, Suame, Ahwia among others.