By Florence Afriyie Mensah
Kumasi, Dec. 04, GNA – The Advocacy for Children Living with Developmental Disabilities (ACLiDD) – Ghana, a local NGO, has called for inclusive socio-economic policies that will help serve as incentives for employing qualified Persons living with Disabilities (PWDs) in leadership positions.
According to ACLiDD, leadership position should not be defined by physical ability, but rather, the competency, vision, passion, and determination of the person occupying the position.
A statement signed by Mr Emmanuel Kumi, Programmes Manager of ACLiDD and issued in Kumasi to mark the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities, said even though Ghana had passed the Persons with Disability Act (2006), which mandates a quota for disabled representation in government institutions, enforcement of this law remained inconsistent.
The statement indicated the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the law was applied fully and that people with disabilities were given the opportunities they were entitled to.
According to the statement, “the relative underrepresentation of people with disabilities in leadership is not just a matter of fairness, but a missed opportunity for the country to tap into the vast potential of PWDs.
Nurturing the next generation of leaders among PWDs requires a multi-faceted approach, combining inclusive education, mentorship, accessible infrastructure, and empowering people with disabilities”, it emphasized.
It said with the introduction and implementation of the Inclusive Education Policy, many school-aged children with disabilities still faced enrolment challenges, particularly in schools that were not fully equipped to meet their needs.
Moreover, teacher training in inclusive education remained insufficient, hindering the ability of students with disabilities to receive appropriate support in classrooms.
“This situation does not only deprive the country of the talents and potential of a large segment of its population but also stifles the growth of a truly inclusive society,” it observed.
The Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations, along with other advocacy groups, have consistently called for greater efforts to break down the barriers that prevent PWDs from accessing leadership opportunities and contribute to national development.
The statement said more initiatives must be implemented to recognize their potential, encourage and create spaces for them to thrive as leaders in their communities and fields of expertise.
The ACLiDD-Ghana, has since its inception, committed towards creating awareness about stigma and its negative impacts on the development of PWDs.
This education is demonstrated through the various community and public engagements undertaken by the organization to encourage individuals to desist from stigmatizing people living with disabilities.
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed annually on December 03, every year, is a United Nations designated day to raise awareness about disability issues and promote the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life.
This year’s celebration was on the theme: “Amplifying Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future”.
GNA