PwDs don’t need our sympathy, they want equal opportunities – Mahama

Former President John Dramani Mahama on Sunday, 14 July 2019 helped to launch the CEM Ability Village, a charity project that is focusing on the empowerment of persons with disability (PwDs) to live more fulfilling and dignified lives in society.

Rev Steve Mensah, who is the General Overseer of the Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry and the vision bearer for the CEM Ability Village, launched the project along with the help of Mr Mahama; the Minister Gender, Child and Social Protection Cynthia Morrison and other dignitaries.

Speaking at the launch at the Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry in Accra, Mr Mahama said: “Persons with Disability do not need our sympathy. They want equal opportunities. They want to be recognised and they want all forms of discrimination against them to end. We have examples like software engineer Farida Bedwei, who have proven that given the opportunity, PwDs can even do better than many with no disability.”

He said there are many laws intended to help protect and improve the lives of PwDs but their enforcement has not been effective, and it is one of the areas on which he will focus his attention as the leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and President, if he is elected in the 2020 elections.

The proposed 2000-acre CEM Ability Village will be a purpose-built community for PwDs in Ningo, where PwDs will enjoy full and equal rights, be included and play active roles in society.