NGO urges gov’t to include PWDs in policy making processes

A disability rights, advocacy and capacity building organization, VOICE Ghana, has called on government and policy makers to make social inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) paramount in the country’s development plans, processes and policies.

Though VOICE Ghana identified achievements of successive governments in providing a sustainable and resilient society for all citizens including PWDs, it believes there is still more to be done in this direction.

According to the VOICE Ghana, “What we need now is a renewed mindset about disability, coupled with political - will in putting social inclusion at the heart of both Central and Local Government development plans, policies and processes.”

These were contained in a communique issued to Ghanaweb to commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The disability advocate organization, however, called on stakeholders and the civil society not to relent in their efforts in fighting for social inclusion of PWDs aiming to achieve the United Nations 2030 Agenda of “Leaving No One Behind”.

VOICE Ghana also commended disability advocates across the globe and appreciated donor partners for their unflinching support to their bid of fighting for social inclusion of PWDs.

“We would like to appreciate our past and present donors for their financial and technical support, which is enabling us to promote social inclusion of persons with disabilities in our part of the world. Some of these donors are: Ford Foundation, Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), STAR-Ghana, Disability Rights Fund (DRF), ULOBA, JICA and Bezev.”

This year’s theme for the International Day of Persons With Disability was “Transformation Towards Sustainable and Resilient Society For All.”