In a gesture aimed at breaking the social isolation often experienced by marginalised citizens, the Assembly Member for the Djanman Electoral Area in the Weija-Gbawe Municipality of Accra, Hon. Augustina Asantewaa Asiedu, has hosted a social and educational gathering for Persons with Disabilities across the municipality.
The event, held on Saturday, 17th October 2026, brought together 160 persons with various forms of disabilities, including children, to dine, network and celebrate in an atmosphere of dignity and joy.
While financial disbursements under the Disability Common Fund remain the primary interaction most assemblies have with PWDs, recreation, mental well-being and social integration are frequently overlooked.
Saturday’s gathering bridged that gap, blending merrymaking with peer motivation and practical life-skills education.
Photo description: Hon. Asantewaa serving participants with bags of packaged food, drinks and other gifts
Equipping the Vulnerable Against Digital Fraud
A major highlight was a practical session on online safety facilitated by the Inclusive Tech Group (ITG).
Recognising that persons with disabilities are frequently targeted by cybercriminals and Mobile Money (MoMo) fraudsters due to perceived vulnerability, the session provided participants with security skills.
Resource person Mr Prince Somuah of ITG guided participants through setting up Two-Step Verification (2SV) to protect their WhatsApp accounts from hijacking.
He also demonstrated how to recover compromised accounts and exposed the psychological tricks used by MoMo fraudsters, particularly fake emergency calls claiming a relative is hospitalised or in police custody.
Participants were also addressed by a visually impaired representative from the National Council on Persons with Disability (NCPD) and a blind clergyman, both of whom shared personal journeys of resilience to inspire their peers that disability is not a limitation to greatness.
MCE Pledges Assembly Support to Institutionalise Social Inclusion
In an interview with DisabilityNewsGH.com, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Weija-Gbawe, Hon. Felix Odartey Lamptey, commended Hon. Asantewaa Asiedu for the initiative.
The MCE admitted that beyond the routine disbursement of the Disability Common Fund, the Assembly rarely organises events focused purely on the social well-being and happiness of persons with disabilities.
“I was deeply moved to see persons with disabilities of all ages dancing, interacting and truly enjoying themselves — something we do not see often enough,” Hon. Odartey Lamptey said.
“When we have initiatives that bring us together to eat, dance and bond, they promote communal living and give our vulnerable brothers and sisters a true sense of belonging.”
Inspired by the event, the MCE pledged to engage the Assembly’s Social Services Sub-Committee to develop policy frameworks that will institutionalise similar social-inclusion programmes across the municipality.
He also appealed to parents to stop hiding children with disabilities at home and to prioritise their education and social exposure.
A Vision for Quarterly Celebrations
Hon. Augustina Asantewaa Asiedu, a two-time Assembly Member and Chairperson of the Assembly’s Social Services Sub-Committee, said her motivation stemmed from witnessing the daily hardships of persons with disabilities firsthand.
Having previously organised smaller gatherings within her electoral area, Saturday’s event marked her first municipality-wide outreach.
“Creating a platform for persons with disabilities to socialise, share meals and listen to motivational stories from achievers among them goes a long way to reassure them that all hope is not lost,” Hon. Asantewaa told DisabilityNewsGH.
She pledged to make the event a regular feature of her public service, aiming for a quarterly schedule, with plans to introduce adaptive sports, games and talent showcases.
She called on society to embrace persons with disabilities with love, dignity and respect, allowing their inherent talents to flourish for national development.
Photo description: Hon. Asantewaa addressing the gathering
Traditional Leaders and GFD Applaud Initiative
The initiative earned praise from traditional authorities and civil society leaders.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional leadership, Nii Lartey, Linguist of the Ngleshie Alata Lafa Stool, commended Hon. Asantewaa for her selflessness and accessibility, noting that her gesture demonstrated deep respect for human dignity regardless of physical ability.
Nii Lartey conveyed the blessings of the Chief and elders and expressed their wish for her continued leadership and service to the municipality.
For his part, the Greater Accra Regional President of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD), Mr Charles Bentum, expressed profound gratitude to the Assembly Member.
He called on other MMDAs and civic leaders across the region to replicate the initiative, stressing that social inclusion is a vital pillar of human rights and mental health for persons with disabilities.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com
