President Mahama commends CEM for a decade of empowering persons with disabilities

John Dramani Mahama, the President of the Republic of Ghana, has lauded the Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry (CEM) for its unwavering ten-year dedication to improving the lives of persons with disabilities through its flagship initiative, The Day of Help.

The milestone event, held at the Essikando Wise Park in Takoradi, marked a decade of transformative impact, providing mobility aids, surgical interventions, food support, training and rehabilitation services to thousands of Ghanaians living with disabilities.

Ahead of the anniversary celebrations, the leadership of CEM paid a courtesy call on the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, at the Jubilee House to brief him on preparations for the re-launch of the Ability Village Initiative and to seek government partnership in scaling the project.

Debrah praised CEM for its humanitarian efforts and reaffirmed government’s admiration for the ministry’s consistency in supporting marginalized communities.

“The Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry has not only preached the gospel but lived it through acts of service and compassion,” Debrah remarked.

“The President and his team recognize that social inclusion is central to national progress and initiatives like the Ability Village complement government’s vision of creating a Ghana that truly works for everyone,” he added.

“We are proud of Rev Dr Steve Mensah and his team for their tenacity and compassion, they are changing lives, one act of kindness at a time.”

Representing the President at the event, Elvis Afriyie Ankrah, Presidential Envoy for Interfaith and Ecumenical Bodies, described CEM’s work as “a shining example of faith in action and compassion at work.”

“For ten years, the Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry, under the visionary leadership of Rev Dr Steve Mensah, has proven that the Church is not only a place of worship but also a true partner in national transformation,” President Mahama said.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s steadfast commitment to building an inclusive society that prioritizes the dignity and empowerment of all citizens, regardless of physical ability.

He outlined several policy measures aimed at enhancing opportunities for persons with disabilities, including:

Free tertiary education for persons with disabilities;

Increased allocations from the District Assemblies Common Fund;

A review of the Persons with Disability Act (2006);

Enforcement of a 5% employment quota across the public and private sectors; and

The upgrading of rehabilitation centres to enhance vocational and technical training.

“Our goal is clear — to build an inclusive Ghana where every person, regardless of ability, can live with dignity, purpose and pride,” he emphasized.

Afriyie Ankrah reinforced the President’s message, stressing that sustainable social transformation requires strong collaboration between government, faith-based institutions and civil society.

“True transformation cannot be achieved by government alone. The Day of Help and the Ability Village stand as shining examples of what can be accomplished through partnership, compassion and faith-driven leadership,” he stated.

President Mahama described the Ability Village Project as a “bold and forward-looking” initiative designed to empower persons with disabilities through vocational training, healthcare, innovation hubs, housing and entrepreneurship.

He pledged government’s support to replicate the Ability Village model across all regions of Ghana.

The President also endorsed the relaunch of the “10 for Ability” campaign, a national fundraising drive encouraging Ghanaians to contribute at least ten Ghana cedis monthly towards the construction of the Ability Village.

“Each of us can play a part, through financial support, materials, land or technical expertise. Together, we can make this vision a reality,” he urged.

In his closing remarks, President Mahama expressed deep appreciation to Rev Dr Steve Mensah, the CEM leadership and the many volunteers who have sustained The Day of Help over the past decade.

“Supporting the Day of Help and the Ability Village Initiative is not only a civic duty — it is a moral responsibility. Together, we can build a Ghana that truly leaves no one behind,” Elvis Afriyie Ankrah concluded.

The commemorative event brought together ministers of state, clergy, traditional leaders, development partners and hundreds of beneficiaries of CEM’s life-changing disability support programmes.

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