Ernestina Gan

Her empathy, her warmth, her honesty, her quiet confidence. We want to shout about Ernestina Gan, the unsung hero of Action Through Enterprise’s inclusion work in rural Upper West Ghana. In a place where disabled children are isolated, stigmatised and abused – mothers are often told to abandon their children in the bush - Ernestina has taken them to her heart, them the chance to reach their full potential. Ernestina has changed their lives.

Ambitious for what they can achieve with the right support and lots of love, she has worked tirelessly to improve children’s mobility, communication and other skills – and in 2024 hit the historic milestone of 100 disabled children in school.

When she joined us, Ernestina was shy, reserved – and always totally dedicated to the vulnerable children she works with. She left us to study at college for two years, returning to drive our work in improving learning and getting disabled children into school. Today, she has become the most incredible and effective change-maker, giving hundreds of disabled children the chance of a better life. And she’s a role model in her community, inspiring young women, challenging prejudice and making the world a better place.