Accra, Jan. 22, GNA – Madam Otiko Afisah Djaba, Executive Director of the Henry Djaba Memorial Foundation, on Friday had a feast with Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and donated 160 wheelchairs and other walking aids to them to mark her 60th birthday.
She said the decision to celebrate her birthday with PWDs was in appreciation, first, to God, who had guided her through difficult times, and also to PWDs, whom she said, had been a source of inspiration to her.
In an interview with the media on the day of celebration, she said, “I have joined the ‘club 60,’ and to celebrate God, I decided to donate 160 wheelchairs and other walking aids to all the 16 regions.”
“When God blesses you, it’s important to give back, and of my 60 years, it’s been such a journey; full of struggles, pain and tear. Through all the years, I’ve had destiny helpers who have been there to help me through each situation,” she added.
The former Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, explained that the setting up of the Foundation [in her father’s name – Henry Djaba] gave her the inspiration and the desire to give back to other people.
Madam Djaba noted that: “It is not easy for a lot of people, especially persons with disability, and in Ghana we don’t treat them well, we don’t give them respect. So, I chose to go into this difficult area.”
The donation of the 160 assistive devices formed part of her initiative to donate at least 16,000 of the, (1,000 per each of the 16 regions) to support PWDs so they could go about their daily activities in a more comfortable manner.
Madam Djaba said aside the donation on Friday, the Foundation would be engaging in a series of activities to support not only PWDs, but also, women, children, and the deprived in society.
She said the Foundation had established a Centre at Somanya and training girls in hairdressing, beads making, fashion design, business development and IT to help them get along [in life].
Mr James Eduful, a juvenile football coach, who received a wheelchair, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, expressed gratitude to Mad Djaba and the Foundation for the gesture.
Mad Naomi Kwapong, a mobile credit transfer operator, who also received a wheelchair, was thankful.
She noted that often, they were neglected in society, and found it difficult to get money to cater for themselves, let alone, buy such assistive devices for their daily routine.
GNA