By Francis Kwabena Cofie
Accra, Nov. 22, GNA – The S-DIA Advocacy LBG, a non-profit organisation, with the support of the World Food Programme would host the International Persons with Disability Empowerment Conference (INPEWDEC) 2024 in Accra.
The conference is on the theme: “Empowering Persons with Disabilities: Promoting Inclusivity, Equity, and Sustainable Development.”
It would be held in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, and The Sedofa Consultancy.
The conference would be attended by over 300 participants, including persons with disability (PWDs), experts, donor agencies, and stakeholders from various sectors, to address the challenges PWDs face and develop innovative solutions for their empowerment.
A statement issued by S-DIA Advocacy LBG and copied the Ghana News Agency has said the key highlight will be training sessions on agripreneurship and trade skills, specially tailored to meet the needs of PWDs.
It will focus on providing practical skills in areas such as snail farming, mushroom farming, vegetable farming, home gardening, liquid soap making, and the production of resin arts.
The statement said these skills were designed to open new income streams for PWDs, empowering them to improve their livelihoods and achieve financial independence.
It said the training skills will potentially transform the lives of the participants as the programme will provide them with opportunities to start their agricultural ventures.
“Agriculture is one of Ghana’s key economic sectors, and engaging PWDs in it will not only enhances their income but also strengthen their participation in national development,” the statement noted.
It said: “Additionally, skills in home gardening offer PWDs a way to grow food for personal consumption, promoting food security and nutrition, particularly for those in rural areas.
“Furthermore, training in liquid soap making and resin arts production opens doors for PWDs to venture into small-scale manufacturing and craft production, industries that can generate steady income with minimal startup capital.”
The statement said the S-DIA Advocacy LBG and partners by equipping PWDs with practical skills they will leave the conference not just with knowledge but with the tools to effect real change in their economic circumstances.
“The INPEWDEC 2024 is more than just a conference; it is a platform for fostering collaboration and advocacy, which will be directed at disability rights, inclusive design, and policy advocacy, as well as workshops on assistive technologies and vocational training.
“These sessions will provide a space for policymakers, NGOs, private sector stakeholders, and PWDs to engage in meaningful dialogue and develop strategies for breaking down the systemic barriers PWDs face in Ghana,” it stated.
Mr. Kweku Kakah, the Executive Director of S-DIA Advocacy LBG, emphasised the importance of the conference, saying, “INPEWDEC 2024 comes at a time when the rights of persons with disabilities need urgent attention.
“By creating a platform for dialogue, we are not only raising awareness but also building a community of advocates and policymakers committed to driving actionable change.”
He concluded saying, “As the nation continues its journey toward inclusivity, more organizations must join hands in this effort, ensuring that PWDs are not left behind but are instead equipped with the skills and opportunities to thrive.”
GNA