The Rotary Club of Accra-South (District 9104), alongside US-based Rotary partners (District 7620), has launched an initiative to set up Ghana’s first dedicated wheelchair repair centre, roll out an eight-month economic empowerment drive, and donate 50 wheelchairs to persons with physical disabilities.
The project directly tackles a critical void in Ghana’s disability support system: the complete absence of a commercial or public wheelchair repair facility anywhere in the country.
Currently, when a wheelchair breaks down, users are forced to abandon it while waiting indefinitely for a new donation, or buy expensive replacements that many cannot afford.
Located at the Accra Rehabilitation Centre, the project is revamping and expanding an existing workshop belonging to the Ghana Society for the Physically Disabled (GSPD) into a fully equipped, modern wheelchair repair facility.
Structural extension works are beginning immediately, with Rotary supplying all necessary high-grade tools and equipment.
Under the project design, selected members of the GSPD will undergo comprehensive technical training to become certified repair technicians.
Using a train-the-trainer model, these pioneers will transfer their technical skills to other PWDs both within and outside Accra.
The initiative creates sustainable, dignified job opportunities for wheelchair users while guaranteeing long-term maintenance for mobility devices across the nation.
Alongside the technical facility, the project encompasses two additional pillars:
1. Wheelchair Provision: A total of 50 wheelchairs will be donated to pre-selected members of the GSPD. The initial allocation comprises specialised sporting wheelchairs for the GSPD sports wing, followed by standard mobility wheelchairs. The physical presentation will take place at a separate official handing-over ceremony.
2. Economic Empowerment: To assist PWDs who are already entrepreneurs in growing their businesses and maximising sales, the project delivers over 200 hours of training covering Sales and Marketing, Customer Service, Bookkeeping, and Financial Literacy.
The economic development training officially commenced on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, immediately following the launch ceremony, and will run for the next eight months for all interested GSPD members. In contrast, the wheelchair repair training will remain an ongoing, permanent project.
To enhance financial inclusion, Rotary has partnered with Fidelity Bank Ghana to deliver tailored financial literacy training and facilitate credit options for participants.
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Rotarian Klenam Fiadzoe, Past President of the Rotary Club of Accra-South and Coordinator of the Project, emphasised the objective of building long-term capacity.
“For long, the narrative surrounding disability has been one of charity – of what can be ‘given’ to those in need,” Fiadzoe stated. “Today, we are shifting that narrative to one of capacity. We are not here to offer a hand-out; we are here to provide the tools, the training, and the access to ensure that every individual, regardless of physical ability, has a platform to improve their livelihood and contribute to the national economy.”
Fiadzoe expressed gratitude to the funding partners, including Rotary District 9104 (Ghana) and District 7620 (USA), alongside US Rotary clubs from Capitol Hill, Mt. Airy, Washington DC, Charlotte Hall, Baltimore, Southern Frederick County, New Market, Sykesville, and Pikesville-Owings Mills.
Addressing the gathering, Rotarian Pauline Simmons, Past President of the Rotary Club of Capitol Hill, urged the disability community to maximize the opportunity to ensure project sustainability.
“Donors will only be motivated to scale up this project or add new initiatives if this current phase is successful,” Simmons noted. “No one will continue to invest resources into fruitless initiatives, so make the absolute best out of this opportunity.”
In response, the National President of the GSPD, Mr Courage Wormenor, highlighted the plight of qualified PWD graduates and entrepreneurs trapped in poverty due to systemic barriers.
“Wheelchairs are not just chairs to us – they represent our freedom, our mobility, and our dignity,” Wormenor stated. “We hope this project changes the narrative, and we appeal to our donors to grow this partnership beyond this single initiative.”
Corroborating this commitment, the Public Relations Officer of the GSPD, Mr Ella Ametor, expressed profound gratitude to Rotary and assured the donors that GSPD members will dedicate themselves to making the project an unqualified success.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com
