The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, has entreated persons with disabilities (PWDs) to report any of the assemblies that would mistreat them when accessing services.
According to him, any officer found culpable would be punished since such an act would harm the government’s efforts to empower PWDs.
He made this known at a stakeholders’ workshop organised by the Women with Disability Development and Advocacy Organisation (WODAO) in Ho.
“Whatever we need to do together as the Regional Coordinating Council, we are ready for
you. Do not hesitate to approach us. The Municipal and District Assemblies, the 18 of them that are here in the Volta Region, are also there for you.
“If you go to any of the Municipal and District Assemblies and you are not treated very well, report to me. I will make sure that we deal with the issue so that persons with disabilities can be taken care of properly by the assemblies and the regional coordinating council,” he stressed.
He underscored the government’s zeal to break barriers impeding the development of PWDs and commended WODAO for its unrelenting efforts to promote the inclusivity of women and children with disabilities.
He called for a collaborative effort targeted at building a society that is welcoming to everybody “where no one is left behind”.
Executive Director of the Women with Disability Development and Advocacy Organisation, Veronica Kofiedu, stressed that the workshop aims to enlighten stakeholders on the extensive advocacy works of her outfit and explore collaborative opportunities to effect a tangible change in the lives of women and children with disabilities.
She further mentioned identifying “joint priorities that will guide our collective action in the months ahead” as the third focal point for the workshop.
“Through our work under the European Union Civil Society Organisations Capacity Building
Programme – Strengthening Civil Society Representation of Women with Disabilities in Ghana, in partnership with Sightsavers, WODAO has been actively strengthening our internal systems, building the leadership capacity of women with disabilities, and expanding our advocacy for inclusive policies.
“Over the past year, we have seen the difference that strategic collaboration can make. From enhancing digital accessibility and mainstreaming gender in programming to engaging in disability-inclusive climate action and strengthening community mobilisation, one thing has become clear: we achieve more when we work together,” she said.
Madam Kofiedu also highlighted the critical roles of the stakeholders in promoting better lives of persons with disabilities, calling for deeper efforts to achieve the ultimate goal of breaking barriers to inclusion.
The capacity-building workshop was themed “Fostering Strategic Alliances to Promote the Rights of Women with Disabilities in Development”.