In a resounding acknowledgment of their unwavering commitment to disability rights advocacy, Mr. Yaw Ofori-Debra, Chairman of the National Council on Persons with Disability, and Mrs. Mawunyo Yakor-Dagbah, a dedicated member of the council, have been awarded the prestigious Order of the Volta-Member and the Grand Medal respectively – both state honours.
The awards were presented during a national ceremony on Monday, December 30, 2024, which celebrated the achievements and contributions of individuals, both Ghanaian and foreign, who have significantly impacted the nation’s development and progress.
Mr. Ofori-Debra and Mrs. Yakor-Dagbah’s recognition underscores their exceptional contributions to the disability rights movement in Ghana. Both have demonstrated decades of passionate advocacy, working tirelessly to improve the lives and opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs) across the country.
Yaw Ofori-Debra: A Legacy of Leadership and Advocacy
Mr. Yaw Ofori-Debra’s journey as a disability activist is marked by significant milestones. He served as the first elected president of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) from 2015 to 2019.
His leadership during this time was pivotal in shaping the direction of disability rights advocacy in Ghana. Currently serving his second term as Chairman of the National Council on Persons with Disability, Mr. Ofori-Debra’s dedication to the cause remains steadfast.
A respected figure in the disability rights movement, Mr. Ofori-Debra has spearheaded numerous initiatives that have yielded tangible positive outcomes. These include:
• Advocacy for the Passage of the Disability Law (Act 715): A landmark achievement that has provided a legal framework for disability rights.
• Government Bursaries for Students with Disabilities: Expanding access to higher education for PWDs in tertiary institutions.
• Monthly Transport and Guide Allowances: Ensuring public workers with disabilities receive essential support.
• Establishment of National Disability Day: Creating a platform to commemorate and evaluate the impact of the Disability Act.
• Securing Long-Term Donor Funding: Ensuring the sustainability of advocacy programmes by the GFD and GNAD.
• Initiating the National Disability Summit: Providing a crucial forum for stakeholders to collaborate and coordinate their efforts.
In 2018, Mr. Ofori-Debra’s exceptional contributions earned him the prestigious Martin Luther King Award for Peace and Social Justice from the US Embassy in Accra.
Throughout his career, he has held significant leadership positions, including president of the Ghana Blind Union, president of the GFD, and president of the African Union of the Blind. He currently serves as the Second Vice President of the World Blind Union, further underscoring his international standing as a disability advocate.
Mawunyo Kuma Yakor-Dagbah: Championing Inclusion and Empowerment
Mrs. Mawunyo Yakor-Dagbah is an Assistant Director of Audit at the Audit Service, Ghana, and currently serves as the Deputy Branch Head of the Central Government Audit Department/Ghana Revenue Authority – Domestic Tax Revenue Division.
A woman with a disability, Mrs. Yakor-Dagbah is a strong and articulate leader who has tirelessly championed disability and gender equality issues. She made history as the first woman elected to lead the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations since its inception in 1987.
Mrs. Yakor-Dagbah has skillfully networked with both local and international women’s groups to bring disability issues, particularly those concerning women with disabilities, into the heart of development programmes. Her unwavering goal is to improve the lives of PWDs through diverse interventions that promote inclusion and empowerment within Ghanaian society.
She has been serving as a Board member of the National Council on Persons with Disability (NCPD) since April 2018, contributing to:
• Advocating for Programmes Implementing the Persons with Disability Act: Working to ensure the Act is effectively put into practice.
• Liaising with DPOs, NGOs, and CSOs: Collaborating with organisations to raise public awareness and advance disability issues across all levels in Ghana.
The awards received by Mr. Ofori-Debra and Mrs. Yakor-Dagbah represent a significant recognition of their tireless efforts. These individuals have not only changed the lives of countless PWDs but have also inspired a new generation of advocates. Their dedication and leadership continue to pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable Ghana.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com