The quiet battle against Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) is gathering new momentum. At the forefront of this fight is the Executive Development Research and Advocacy Centre (DRAC), an organization determined to bring health, hope, and dignity to some of the country’s most marginalized people. Apexnewsgh reports
The story of DRAC’s mission unfolds in the documentary “Pains of the Forgotten: Leprosy, Stigma, and Resilience,” where Executive Director Jonathan Adabre shares his vision for a future free of the pain and stigma that have haunted families for generations. “We want to talk about the early manifestations of diseases like leprosy, meningitis, and yaws,” he explains. “If community members can recognize the signs, understand transmission, and know what treatment looks like, we can stop these illnesses before they destroy lives.”
For decades, myths and misinformation have allowed diseases like leprosy to spread in silence. Many in the region still believe leprosy is hereditary, passed from mother to child—a belief that Adabre is determined to dispel. “Leprosy can take up to 20 years to show symptoms,” he clarifies. “A mother may unknowingly transmit it, and when her child develops symptoms much later, people assume it’s genetic. That’s the misconception we want to kill.”
But the battle is not fought with education alone. DRAC’s strategy is deeply rooted in community collaboration. Chiefs, queen mothers, and local opinion leaders are enlisted as partners in the fight against stigma and discrimination. “We want affected persons to live dignified lives,” Adabre insists. “They should participate in community activities, share their views, and not be sidelined by fear.”
Yet, changing minds is only part of the challenge. Inadequate sanitation and water access fuel the spread of NTDs. “Without water, people can’t wash, bathe, or keep their clothes clean. Transmission happens quietly,” Adabre notes. With support from the Anesvad Foundation, DRAC has drilled boreholes in several communities and established wetlands committees to manage these vital resources. The ripple effects are already being felt.
A recent baseline survey conducted by DRAC revealed a sobering fact: 97% of respondents still practice open defecation, perpetuating health risks and undermining efforts to contain disease. To address this, DRAC is working closely with community health management committees and local leaders, pushing for behavioral change and better sanitation practices at every level.
But health is only the foundation, DRAC recognizes that a future free of NTDs depends on economic empowerment as well. In many villages, basket weaving is part of the cultural heritage, but a lack of capital and market access keeps families in poverty. DRAC’s solution is to provide not just materials but direct connections to buyers, ensuring that the fruits of local labor reach wider markets. Training in soap and detergent making complements this initiative, promoting hygiene and providing an extra source of income.
Crucially, DRAC’s work is shaped by the voices of those directly affected. “In this country, we have the habit of not listening to people before providing support,” Adabre observes. To change this, DRAC is helping form associations so that those living with NTDs, and their caregivers, can advocate for themselves. They share stories of stigma and exclusion, and highlight missed opportunities, such as the government’s LEAP program, which too often passes them by.
Access to health care is another barrier DRAC is determined to break down. By partnering with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the organization is bringing registration and renewal services directly to vulnerable populations, ensuring no one is left behind for lack of paperwork or travel money.
The impact of DRAC’s approach is already apparent. Adabre recalls a striking moment from an awareness session: “An assembly member told us, ‘Are these signs really leprosy? I see them on my wife.’ When she was tested, it came back positive. That shows why early detection is critical.”
For Mr. Adabre, the national goal is clear: “We want to eradicate skin NTDs in Ghana. It doesn’t take much, just consistent commitment and attention to the most vulnerable.”
Through a blend of awareness-raising, improved water and sanitation, economic opportunity, and access to healthcare, DRAC is not just fighting disease; they are building resilience, breaking the cycle of stigma, and restoring hope to communities long forgotten. Their story is a call to action: that with compassion, partnership, and persistence, even the most neglected battles can be won.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen
