By Stanley Senya
Accra, Dec. 10, GNA – Sightsavers Ghana has urged the government and stakeholders to effectively implement disability-inclusive policies to amplify leadership positions of PWDs.
The organization said this would allow PWDs to participate and ensure policies were aligned with their needs and objectives.
Speaking at the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, Dr Augustina Naami, Head of Department of Social Work at the University of Ghana, Legon, said it was important for government to implement policies that positions PWDs at the leadership level.
She explained that it would help the government to know the right initiatives and programmes to offer for PWDs, “by allowing them take leadership roles it will help inclusivity and prioritization”, she added.
Dr Naami said women with disability were the most marginalised in terms of seeking jobs, who had been hard hit by the reduction in public-sector hiring.
“The situation is even worse for young women with disabilities in rural areas. They do not only suffer in terms of restricted mobility, but they also face conservative social norms that further regulate their freedoms,” she added.
“This situation, coupled with stigma and discrimination, worsened their plight, leaving more women with disabilities excluded from participation in local governance and living up to their full potential.”
She expressed the hope that support from the World Bank through Sightsavers would be a step toward wider engagement for the promotion of rights and inclusion of people with disabilities, especially women and girls, in Ghana.
Mr Juventus Durinaah, Executive Director, Ghana National Association for the Deaf, in his remarks reaffirmed the commitment to creating a future for PWDs in Ghana to drive decision-making towards the inclusion of PWDs in all areas.
He said PWDs are not people of no skills but rather have the potentials and abilities to do what a normal human can do and even do better, therefore PWDs must not be marginalized or excluded in government institutions.
He encouraged PWDs not to give up but be steadfast to work towards their goals.
The event brought together stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organisations, private companies and development partners
The world bank in collaboration with Sightsavers assured PWDs of the support to ensure that persons with disabilities are actively leading and contributing to the decision-making at all levels.
The bank through the Ghana Digital Transformation Project, has supported the government of Ghana digital inclusion programme to provide tailored digital skills training for persons with disabilities and increase their access and use of digital technologies. “This enables them to participate actively in the broader labor market”, the bank added.
The celebration of international Day of PWDs saw a panel discussion aimed at finding solutions and ways to address PWDs issues in Africa.
GNA