The HDMF office and training centre in Somanya

Working together to transform lives

A women-led, humanitarian, feminist, non-profit and non-partisan organisation dismantling the structural barriers that exclude women, girls and persons with disabilities in Ghana.

Portrait of the late Henry Kwadwo Djaba in kente cloth — Henry Kwadwo DjabaIn whose memory the Foundation was established

Our story

Born from a daughter’s promise to leave no one behind

HDMF was established on 27 December 2018 by Dr Otiko Afisah Djaba, former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, in honour of her late father, Henry Kwadwo Djaba — in response to persistent social and economic inequalities in underserved communities.

We address the systemic marginalisation and exclusion faced by women, girls and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Ghana, working to dismantle the structural barriers that perpetuate exclusion, poverty and discrimination. As a service-delivery and advocacy NGO, we drive community-level transformation for improved access to public goods and services, peaceful societies and the wellbeing of our constituents.

Based in Yilo Krobo Municipality in the Eastern Region, with an Accra satellite office in Tesano, we engage strategically at regional and national levels — with potential to scale across Greater Accra, Ashanti, Savannah, Northern, North East and Upper West Regions and beyond.

Vision

A Ghana where inclusion, dignity and equal opportunity are a reality for all.

Mission

To champion the rights, inclusion and empowerment of women, girls and persons with disabilities through education, advocacy and skills development, enabling them to live independently and thrive.

Motto

Working together to transform lives.

Core values

What guides everything we do

01
Equality & Inclusion
Every human being deserves equal respect, opportunity and participation in society.
02
Empowerment
We create opportunities that enable people to develop their full potential.
03
Integrity & Accountability
We act with honesty, transparency and commitment in all our actions and partnerships.
04
Innovation
We embrace creative solutions and technologies that respond to the evolving needs of our communities.
05
Partnership
Collaboration and collective action are critical to sustainable development.
06
Sustainable Peace
We build intersectional, stable, equitable and peaceful societies with accessibility at the peace table.

Our approach

Rights-based, intersectional, co-created

HDMF adopts a rights-based, intersectional, participatory and co-creation approach, with gender and disability-inclusive development and a clear Theory of Change.

We prioritise the Shifting the Power strategy for community ownership, gender responsiveness and disability inclusion in all programming — guided by inclusion, equity, transparency, accountability and sustainability — so our programmes respond to the lived realities and priorities of the people we serve.

Who we serve

Persons with disability, vulnerable and marginalised girls and women, youth, children, community leaders and local institutions.

Governance

An 11-member board — six women and five men. Registered with the Registrar of Companies and the NPO Secretariat. 9 staff and 160 volunteers.

Strategic objectives

1
Facilitate gender equality and inclusiveness for persons with disability, vulnerable women, girls and children — so that we leave no one out or behind.
2
Enhance the economic empowerment and resilience of PWDs and vulnerable women and girls through entrepreneurial development, employable skills, self-sufficiency and wellbeing.
3
Develop voice, agency and leadership to increase the representation of women, girls and persons with disability in local and national governance.
4
Influence policies and institutional frameworks to be gender-responsive and disability-inclusive, reducing stigma and discrimination.
5
Challenge harmful socio-cultural norms and enhance access to inclusive education, healthcare and social protection — while generating revenue through market-based activities.

Milestones

Our journey so far

2018
HDMF is founded
Established on 27 December 2018 by Dr Otiko Afisah Djaba in honour of her late father, Henry Kwadwo Djaba.
2019
Let’s Talk Ability goes national
Our flagship TV talk show launches on TV3 — and 120 women, girls and PWDs we trained contest the district assembly elections.
2020
HDMCIK opens in Somanya
The Henry Djaba Memorial Centre for Ideas & Knowledge begins free livelihood skills training. Let’s Talk Ability moves to Adom TV, reaching 2 million viewers a week.
2021
Ability Fair & national campaigns
The first Ability Fair marketplace, the 16,000-wheelchair campaign and National Kayayei Dialogues with 200+ stakeholders.
2023–24
Growing the marketplace
The Ability Fair returns to Accra in 2023 and 2024, showcasing entrepreneurs with disabilities.
2025
4th graduation & IDPD walk
HDMCIK celebrates its 4th graduating class, and HDMF leads an International Day of Persons with Disabilities walk in Somanya.

Our impact

Measurable change, community by community

Increased economic independence among girls, women and PWDs; policy shifts towards inclusive governance; heightened community awareness of disability and gender rights; stronger participation of marginalised groups; and institutions that respond better to inclusive development priorities.