By Priscilla Oye Ofori, GNA
Accra, Sept. 18, GNA – The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD), in partnership with Management and Development Fund (MDF) Ghana, has launched the” We Can Work Academy” in Accra.
The Academy is part of the We Can Work programme which is implemented by Light for the World and the African Disability Forum (ADF) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
It also works with umbrella organisations of Persons with Disabilities ( PWDs) and entrepreneurship hubs across Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria.
The Academy provides young women and men with disabilities structured training that supports their entry into employment and entrepreneurship.
Madam Julia Anyanewaa Appiah, Director, MDF West Africa, said the participants would undertake a Core Life Skills Training package made up of six modules.
They are Personal Understanding and Exploration, Self-Advocacy, Communication Skills, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Enterprise or Employment, and Mental Health.
She said the training involved practical methods that would help participants to build self-awareness, strengthen communication, and apply decision-making skills in line with their career goals.
Madam Appiah said one hundred young PWDs benefitted from the Academy in Accra and Koforidua in the Eastern Region last year, however this year’s target was one hundred and thirty five.
She encouraged the participants to take advantage of the opportunities presented them to improve their lives, businesses and skills.
Miss Doris Ndebugre, Acting Programmes Manager, GFD, said the Academy was focused on giving participants the requisite tools to identify their strengths and apply them in the workplace.
“It is a step toward building more inclusive systems that recognise the contributions of Persons with Disabilities,” she added.
Mrs Brandy M. Susukpor, an Amputee Counselor and a participant, said they had had training on knowing their rights to help them to navigate life.
“I’m so excited and I intend to do entrepreneurship, because being an amputee and PWD, I realised that is the easiest thing to do. Having your own business gives you confidence,”
“Working with people and always giving excuses today that, tomorrow that, due to our condition is bad. I feel having my own business is the best so that I can focus on it and become a big brand,” she added.
Miss Beatrice Asare, another participant, said she was satisfied with the first day of training and was expecting more as it progressed.
Mr Richard Ansah, a participant and business owner said the training would enhance his customer service and packaging skills, and boost sales of his products.
Mr Joseph Ofori, a participant expressed appreciation to the organisers and funders of the programme that would improve their businesses and skills, through marketing and socialisation.
The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) is the national umbrella organisation of Persons with Disabilities in Ghana.
GNA
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong