By DisabilityNewsGH
The Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD) says, it is poised for the Global Disability Summit 2022 which is going to be hosted by Ghana and Norway, in collaboration with the International Disability Alliance.
Being the umbrella body for disability organisations in the country, GFD is leading Ghana’s preparation activities for the summit that starts from February 15 to 17, 2022.
The GFD says, it is poised to make the most of this rare opportunity to improve partnership with government to secure and work with commitments that capture the priority needs and expectations of the community of persons with disabilities.
In a press release by the Federation, its Executive Director, Rita Kusi Kyeremaa said, “the GFD’s posture in all these engagements is seeking for “a win- win value chain approach which provides opportunities that develop, integrate and promote the potential and well-being of persons with disabilities as valuable citizens positively impacting the country’s growth”.
She added that, the GFD was also using its joint campaign platform with SightSavers dubbed “Equal World” to push government as a co-host of the 2022 summit, to show leadership on the continent and ratify the African Disability Protocol, as well as call on other member States of the African Union to urgently do same.
The Global Disability Summit (GDS) is the world’s biggest gathering of Persons with Disabilities and stakeholders. The first edition was held in London in 2018.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s will be held virtually and is expected to raise global attention and focus on neglected areas and inclusive sustainable development, strengthen the capacity of organizations of persons with disabilities in the Global South and their engagement with government, mobilize targeted and concrete commitments on disability inclusion and inclusive development, showcase best practice and evidence from across the world on disability inclusive development and progress made from DGS in 2018.
Overall, the GDS 2022 will seek to facilitate for political will to increase inclusiveness and equality in line with the principle of leaving no one behind.
“Plans are far advanced with feverish working meetings between members of Ghana government and the local organizing institution – the GFD to make the event productive and impactful, positioning Ghana as a disability-friendly nation, advancing the cause of persons with disabilities”, the release further stated.
Being the host nation, Ghana’s pro-disability policies and indeed, overall commitment to the rights and needs of persons with disabilities will be obviously scrutinized.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH