Empowerment for Sustainable Livelihood (ESL) is a patient-centered health advocacy NGO in Ghana committed to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by cancers, blood disorders, and chronic diseases. As a patients’ organization, ESL ensures that patient voices guide our programs, which combine advocacy, awareness, and socio-economic empowerment.
Our main aim is to reduce the burden of under-recognized diseases such as acute leukemias, where delayed diagnosis and limited access to care remain major challenges in Ghana. ESL conducts community awareness campaigns using radio, TV, and local networks to educate people on warning signs of acute leukemias, such as persistent fatigue, unexplained bleeding, or recurrent infections.
We provide patient navigation services, linking families with hematologists and oncology centers while offering counseling and peer-support groups to reduce stigma and isolation. ESL also works with the Ghana Health Service to advocate for the inclusion of leukemia diagnostics, chemotherapy, and supportive care under national health insurance.
In addition, we train frontline health workers to improve recognition and referral of suspected leukemia cases, and we promote the creation of patient registries to inform research and policy.
Through this holistic approach, ESL empowers patients and caregivers, ensuring equitable and dignified access to care.
Are you a member of any umbrella, European or international organisation? If yes, please give details: Yes. Empowerment for Sustainable Livelihood (ESL) is a member or active partner of several global and national networks, coalitions, and advocacy initiatives that support our patient-centered mission:
International Memberships & Partnerships
- Global Liver Institute (GLI): Active partner since 2020, leading awareness of fatty liver disease and organizing Ghana’s participation in Global Fatty Liver Day.
- Global Colon Cancer Association (GCCA): Supporting colorectal cancer awareness, patient voice inclusion, and advocacy for screening.
- World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition (WBCPC) Networks: Advocacy partner in bladder cancer awareness month and patient community engagement.
- Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition (RHSC): Contributing to global equity, access to essential health products, and reproductive health advocacy.
- Cervical Cancer Awareness Campaign (CCAC): Collaborating on awareness and prevention campaigns for cervical cancer.
- Global Colon Cancer Awareness Campaigns & Initiatives: Participation in worldwide colorectal awareness month activities.
Regional & National Partnerships
- Ghana Health Service (GHS): Partner in health system strengthening, cancer awareness, and integration of NCDs into policy.
- Local Health Institutions: Working with hospitals and clinics, including Abesim Eye Clinic, to deliver screening, navigation, and community outreach programs.
- Community & Civil Society Networks: Active in coalitions of patient and advocacy groups in Ghana, focusing on NCDs, rare diseases, and cancer awareness.
Other Collaborations
- Participation in rare disease advocacy networks, ensuring under-recognized conditions are not excluded from national strategies.
- Partnerships with media outlets (radio, TV, newspapers) to disseminate health information at community and national levels.
- Engagement with educational institutions to promote research and patient registries for chronic and rare conditions.
