Sightsavers Ghana in collaboration with the Ghana Country office of the World Bank, celebrated this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities with a clarion call for increased leadership roles for people with disabilities in Ghana, echoing the theme: “Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.”
The event, held at the World Bank office in Accra on December 3, 2024, served as a platform to highlight the persistent underrepresentation of people with disabilities in decision-making.
Mr. David Agyemang, Sightsavers Ghana Country Representative, emphasised the urgent need for action. He cited the 2024 Disability Development Report, which revealed that progress on 30% of the SDGs’ targets for people with disabilities is insufficient, with progress stalled or even reversed on numerous indicators. “The message is clear,” Agyemang stated, “we have to walk the talk.”
The event brought together a diverse range of stakeholders including government officials, disability organisations, civil society groups, and private sector representatives.
Participants shared experiences and discussed strategies to overcome the systemic barriers preventing people with disabilities from assuming leadership roles.
Mr. Robert Taliercio O’Brien, World Bank Ghana Country Director, highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in creating inclusive societies.
He emphasised the World Bank’s commitment to supporting initiatives that empower people with disabilities and ensure their meaningful participation in all decision-making processes.
Sightsavers outlined its ongoing commitment to supporting people with disabilities through various programmes focused on skills training, access to finance, livelihood empowerment for persons with intellectual disabilities, support for private organisations to be disability confident, and advocacy.
The organisation believes that empowering people with disabilities is critical to achieving a truly inclusive and sustainable future for all Ghanaians.
The event concluded with a renewed focus on translating the IDPD’s theme into tangible action, ensuring that the voices and leadership of people with disabilities are amplified across all sectors of Ghanaian society.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com