About OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY AFRICA REGIONAL GROUP: OTARG

OTARG is an african regional Group of WFOT. It was started with the mission to promote Occupational Therapy in the African Region.

OTARG came into existance in 1996 during the 22nd WFOT council meeting in Nairobi when Occupatonal therapists at that forum from all over the world supported the concept of starting an Africa regional group of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).

The inauguration of OTARG took place in Durban, South Africa in 1996. The meeting was financially sponsored by WFOT. Delegates also attended the OTASA National Congress by invitation.

This event was convened by Rosemary Crouch, South African(OTASA)Delegate to WFOT and Chairman of WFOT Education Committee at that time.

OTARG started with 9 African countries as its original member Countries namely; Botswana, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe.

This number has grown to 17 by 2014 as more African countries continue to join the forum. OTARG has got individual delegates in each of these countries todate.

The first elected OTARG Executive included;

Chairman: Justine Nanyonjo, Uganda, Vice Chairman: Jacqueline Laurent Mauritius, Secretary:James Botela, Kenya,

Treasurers: Rosemary Crouch & Ann Nott, South Africa.

The Occupational Therapy Africa Regional Group was formed to promote Occupational Therapy in Africa by;

Promoting co-operation amongst Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Associations
Professional ethics
Facilitate regional exchange through placement of OTs and OT Students
Facilitate the exchange of information
And advance the standards of practice in OT among other objectives.

As an African Occupational Therapy regional Group, OTARG holds a biennal Congress which brings together Occupational therapists and Non OT professionals from Africa and beyond to converge in a chosen African country to deliberate and share for the purpose of promoting the profession in Africa.