The umbrella body of organisations of persons with disabilities in Ghana, the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) has elected new officers to lead the Federation for the next four years.

At the 2022 Annual Delegates Meeting in Accra on Friday, December 16, Mr. Joseph Atsu Homadzi of the Ghana Blind Union was elected president of the Federation, obtaining 20 out of 55 votes.

He beat competition from three others, Rev. John Menful of Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled, who polled 18 votes, Mr. George Frimpong of Ghana Blind Union, 16 votes and Mr. Paul Baafi of Ghana National Association of the Deaf, who got 1 vote.

The other executive members include the vice president, Madam Sirina Mahmadu of Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled (GSPD), Gender Rep. Madam Martha Coffie of Mental Health Society of Ghana (MEHSOG) and Executive Board Members, Madam Eyram Bashan, Akwesi Asamoah Boateng and the Executive Director of the Federation, Madam Rita Kusi Kyeremaa as an Ex officio member.

The immediate past president, Mrs. Mawunyo Yakor-Dagba who happened to be the first-ever female president of the Federation, congratulated the new executives.

She assured them of her availability to support them for the success of the Federation.

The Executive Director of GFD, Madam Rita Kusi Kyeremaa in an interview with DisabilityNewsGH, charged the new Executives to “live up to the challenge”.

According to her, “public acceptance of disability issues is growing and that places a bigger responsibility on the leaders of disability organisations to adequately prepare and respond to the emerging challenges and the calls”.

She also called on them to work with the structures of the organisation at the district, regional and national levels and strengthen them and ensure that all the activities of the Federation run through to the local level.

The new president, Mr. Atsu Homadzi told DisabilityNewsGH that one of his visions was to strengthen the structures of the Federation.

He also intends to strengthen the research activities of the Federation to gather empirical data on persons with disabilities to influence policies to the benefit of persons with disabilities in the country.

Mr. Joseph Atsu Homadzi again intends to seek better well-being of PWDs in the country, by facilitating skills training for them to get them economically engaged.

SOURCE:DisabilityNewsGH.com

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