KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia-based RYTHM Foundation, the social impact initiative of the QI Group has been announced as the winner of the CSR Award for Youth and Disability Inclusion in Ghana.
RYTHM Foundation in a statement today said the foundation received the accolade at the 10th Ghana CSR Excellence Awards (GHACEA) 2023 held in Accra on Oct 27, for its project supporting children with hearing and visual impairment loss in Ghana.
“The award-winning project was implemented by RYTHM Foundation in partnership with the Cape Coast-based NGO, The ANOPA Project (ANOPA). RYTHM Foundation launched a three-year programme with ANOPA in June 2019 which focused on education through sports for deaf and blind children based in Central and Western Ghana.
“This unique sports intervention programme enabled children with disabilities to train in swimming, basketball and volleyball to improve their self-confidence, integrate them into social groups and encourage inclusiveness,” it said.
The statement said that in addition, the project focused on community sensitisation and various vital learning spheres, including enhancing the quality of education, increasing enrolment in special education needs schools, and providing vocational training for deaf and blind children.
Head of RYTHM Foundation Santhi Periasamy said they would not have received this recognition without the efforts of the implementation partner in Ghana, The ANOPA Project.
“ANOPA designed a unique programme that utilises sports to educate and develop children and youth with disabilities. Its success is evident in its positive impact, serving as a testament to its effectiveness.
“This initiative helped enrol 300 children with disabilities in school, sensitised 382 parents through coaching support, and helped improve school retention for 1,300 children with visual and hearing loss. We are also proud that 14 beneficiaries from the programme qualified for the World Deaf Swimming Championships,” she said.
ANOPA Executive Director Ernest Appiah said for ANOPA, inclusion is not just a buzzword; it is a commitment to creating a world where every individual, regardless of their abilities or background, can thrive and contribute.
“We believe in the power of unity and diversity, and our partnership with RYTHM Foundation in Ghana is a testament to this belief. Together, we have broken barriers, challenged stereotypes, and created a more inclusive society for children and youth with disabilities. This award is a recognition of our collective efforts.
“Through our partnership and funding from RYTHM Foundation, we will continue to use our uniquely crafted intervention modules to help better the lives of disabled and vulnerable children in Ghana,” he said.
The annual event by the Centre for CSR, West Africa, is one of Ghana’s most prominent and longest-running CSR Awards programmes.
It is supported by leaders of business associations, international development partners, government ministries and agencies, and various media organisations.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency