Participatory Development Associates (PDA) Limited is a private sector human development organisation. Its aim is to support processes of empowerment and self-determination in communities, organizations and individuals. It was registered (registration no. C-95,118) in 2001. PDA is based in Ghana, with its main office in Kumasi and a sub-office in Accra.
Our vision…
is of a world where communities and organisations can provide an enabling environment in which all people, regardless of sex, race, ethnicity,creed, age or disability, can realise their full potential and contribute their best to the common good.
Our mission…
is to work with communities and organisations to facilitate the participation of all people within their community/organisation by empowering them to take greater control over their own lives and determine their own destiny.
Our logo
Our logo represents some of the core values of PDA. The three triangles show our commitment to moving forward towards a fairer world. The balance of black and white stripes represents both our personal composition and our belief in the need for balance - of power, of gender, of race - and for harmony.
Our approach
Our approach is to work with people, in groups and as individuals, to help them build their awareness of their situation, see it in a wider context, explore options, make decisions and then move towards a chosen future. We believe that change is a key feature of everyone’s reality and that each of us has an active role to play in shaping the future – be it our personal future or that of an organisation or community.
PDA uses a broad range of methodologies, most of which enable a high degree of participation and interactive, experiential learning. Our practice is especially inspired by Freirian approaches and also place a premium on creativity and innovation. We are conversant with a number of well known development approaches including Appreciative Inquiry, Open Space Technology, World Café, Most Significant Change and Participatory Learning and Action. We seek always to adapt and experiment with each unique set of circumstances, combining and drawing selectively on a range of tools and approaches as each process unfolds.
Internally, we seek to work with our own change too – as practitioners, as colleagues and team members, and as an organisation as a whole. We believe that in any encounter we have with partners and clients we are all affected by our work together and we seek to make this as positive an experience as possible for each person.We are committed as an organisation to realising a proud and prosperous future for Africa, building on its own history and indigenous systems. We seek to work with others to find a path that celebrates our strengths, and critically engages with our weaknesses.