Overcoming Stigma through Empowerment and Inclusion (OSEI Collective), an organisation dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities in Ghana, in collaboration with NADO Foundation, has selected ten entrepreneurs with disabilities to receive sponsorship under its “Ability in my Disability” project.
The ten entrepreneurs, hailing from different regions of the country, will benefit from mentorship, online business promotion to attract both local and international customers, and financial support for specific expansion projects.
OSEI Collective and NADO Foundation believe this initiative will foster the economic independence of the beneficiaries, enabling them to employ or train others, particularly fellow persons with disabilities.
The sponsors envision a future where individuals with disabilities live meaningful lives and contribute to the growth of their communities and Ghana as a whole.
On Saturday, September 28, 2024, 51 entrepreneurs with disabilities from various regions of the country pitched their business ideas, both existing businesses and those in development, at a competition held in La, Accra.
OSEI Collective Founder, Madam Jessica Quelennec, impressed by the participants’ innovative business ideas, called for collaboration from other organisations and individuals to support persons with disabilities in Ghana.
She pointed out that persons with disabilities possess immense potential that can benefit not only their own lives but also the progress of their communities.
However, Madam Jessica also noted the challenges faced by many persons with disabilities, including a lack of support, stigma, and discrimination.
According to her, these factors often push individuals into begging, making them a burden on their communities. She advocated for increased support, skills training, and resources to improve their living conditions.
Mr. Yaw Ofori-Debrah, board chairman of the National Council on Persons with Disability and the event’s guest speaker, emphasised that persons with disabilities in Ghana are determined to be first-class citizens, not reliant on pity or charity. “They are, therefore, actively seeking education and skills to achieve economic independence”, he said.
He highlighted the exhibition of talents and products at the event as a demonstration of their abilities and their desire to be productive and equal members of society.
Ofori-Debrah called on the public, particularly those who drive social change, to remove barriers and provide the necessary support for persons with disabilities to thrive.
He emphasised, “Impairment begets disability. The non-functioning of people’s body parts doesn’t make them disabled; rather, it is societal impediments that do.”
He added, “If we design society in a way that does not put hurdles in their way—by making the environment accessible and providing them with the necessary support and opportunities—there is nothing persons with disabilities cannot achieve.”
Mr. Alexander Tetteh, President of the Ghana Chamber of Entrepreneurs with Disabilities and one of the judges at the event, observed that most of the candidates lacked public speaking skills and struggled to effectively communicate their ideas to the panel, despite having great business ideas and products.
He urged persons with disabilities to invest in developing their communication skills, while also calling on advocacy organisations, including organisations of persons with disabilities, to incorporate communication and business pitching skills into all training programmes for individuals with disabilities. This, he said, would better prepare them for future opportunities.
He also assured the remaining participants that his chamber would facilitate the sale of their products at a mall in Accra.
Adoley, the winner of the second edition of TV3’s Ghana’s Most Beautiful pageant, another judge at the event, donated wheelchairs to some of the participants.
Hon. Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, Member of Parliament for the La-Dadekotopong constituency, who graced the occasion, appealed to the public to embrace persons with disabilities as valued members of society.
She spoke out against stigma and discrimination, which often prevents them from receiving fair patronage for their products and services. Such practices, she explained, force many businesses to close, pushing individuals into begging and burdening their families.
Hon. Odoley Sowah announced that she would be organising skills training for persons with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities in her constituency, aiming to contribute to their economic empowerment.
While the OSEI Collective and NADO Foundation initiative offers a valuable pathway for economic independence, it also highlights the need for ongoing support in areas like marketing and promotion. Many of the entrepreneurs, despite having established their businesses, struggle to effectively market their products and services, leading to low patronage. OSEI Collective is hoping to build their capabilities in this area.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com