Ghana has taken steps to advance disability inclusion with the recent appointments of Mr. Abdul Rahman Ben-Braimah, a member of the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD), to the Board of the Youth Authority (NYA), and Mr. Jacob Atule Adongo of the Ghana Blind Union, as a Deputy CEO of the Youth Employment Agency.
While these appointments are acknowledged as positive steps, they have been met with a more subdued response within the disability community, who had hoped to see greater representation at the ministerial level.
The swearing-in ceremony for the NYA Board took place on Tuesday, May 6, with Julian M. Cobbinah also sworn in as Board Chairman. The Minister for Youth, Employment and Development, George Opare Addo, congratulated the new board and emphasised the importance of integrity, dedication, and empowerment for Ghana’s youth.
“I urged the board members to fully commit to their mandate and ensure that the youth of our nation are empowered to reach their full potential,” said Minister George Opare Addo.
While Mr. Ben-Braimah’s presence on the NYA Board and Mr. Adongo’s role at the Youth Employment Agency are expected to bring the voices and perspectives of persons with disabilities to key decision-making bodies, some members of the disability community express disappointment that the government has not yet appointed individuals with disabilities to more prominent positions, such as ministerial roles.
“These appointments are a start, but they don’t go far enough,” said a representative from a disability advocacy organisation, who wished to remain anonymous. “We need to see people with disabilities at the highest levels of government to truly influence policy and ensure that our rights are protected and promoted.”
Mr. Ben-Braimah’s role on the NYA Board aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s “Reset Agenda”, which champions equity, inclusion, and full participation of all citizens in national development. However, some advocates argue that the “Reset Agenda” needs to be more aggressively implemented to address the historical underrepresentation of persons with disabilities in leadership positions.
Despite these reservations, the appointments build on other recent achievements within Ghana’s Deaf community:
Prof. Wisdom Kwadwo Mprah: West Africa’s first Deaf professor, advocating for inclusive education.
Juventus Duorinaah: Ghana’s first Deaf lawyer, breaking barriers in law and disability rights.
These stories highlight the transformative power of advocacy, representation, and political will, and serve as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to achieve full inclusion and equality for persons with disabilities in Ghana.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com
