VOICE-Ghana receives fund to start PWDs inclusion campaign

A disability rights, advocacy and capacity building organization, VOICE-Ghana has received funds from Ford Foundation to spearhead a campaign for the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) into physical community projects.

VOICE-Ghana seeks to take advantage of the commitment of President Nana Akufo-Addo to the full implementation of the Persons With Disability Act, 2006, (Act 715) to intensify their campaign for the “rights and social inclusion of persons with disabilities”.

The Executive Director of VOICE-Ghana, Francis Asong, outlined that the $270,000 project which would span for 2-years would be rolled out in 15 districts in the Volta Region and at the national level.

He added that the inclusion campaign seeks to partner with stakeholders to ensure interventions and programs earmarked for PWDs in the President’s State of the Nation address are implemented.

“This campaign would ensure persons PWDs fully benefit from government’s programs while there would be major focus on the livelihood empowerment of PWDs”, he said.

He further stated that “we will collaborate with the relevant institutions to ensure PWDs have access to justice in the area of human right abuses and introduce sign language interpretation at the Police Station and law courts”.

Mr Ashong emphasised that VOICE-Ghana will see to it that government’s planned allocation of 30% of contracts to qualified persons with disabilities comes to fruition.

The campaign would also impress on 15 assemblies in the Volta Region to make adequate budget allocation for the provision of disability friendly facilities at the various communities for easy accessibility by PWDs.

Agortime-Ziofe, Akatsi South, Adaklu,Krachi Nchumuru, Afadjato South, Ketu North, Jasikan, Krachi West, Kedjebi, Biakoye, Ho West, and North Dayi are the beneficiary districts. Ketu South, Kpando and Hohoe Municipalities are also benefiting from the PWDs inclusion campaign.