Ohmer Provides Guidance, Support to NGO in Ghana

Mary Ohmer, School of Social Work associate professor and Community, Organization, and Social Action (COSA) chair, has been providing guidance and support to a nongovernmental organization (NGO) in Ghana that was created 10 years ago by Sara Allegra, a Georgia State University MSW student of Ohmer’s when Ohmer taught there. The Sub-Saharan Education Project (SSEP) is a charity that supports women’s and children’s educational advancement. SSEP provides scholarships for students to attend school and builds schools in rural areas in Ghana. Every year, Allegra visits Pittsburgh to sell recycled glass bead jewelry handmade by women in the villages SSEP serves at a party at Ohmer’s home. She also shares information about SSEP with social work students, staff, and faculty.

Two years ago, Ohmer traveled to Ghana with Jaime Booth, assistant professor at Pitt, and Jan Ivery (MSW ’97), associate professor of social work at Georgia State University, to conduct research on SSEP programs. The team is now putting together manuscripts on their findings to submit for publication.

To learn more about SSEP, visit ssepempower.org

Mary Ohmer with a group of people from Ghana