University of Ghana students with disabilities are urging world leaders to prioritise the needs of youth with disabilities at the upcoming Summit of the Future, scheduled for September 2024.
They emphasise that the summit’s decisions will have a profound impact on their future. By integrating the needs and rights of young people with disabilities into the “Pact for the Future,” world leaders can establish a foundation for a more just, inclusive, and prosperous world for all.
Highlighting the numerous challenges they face in achieving equal participation in society, the students believe that the summit, themed “Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow,” must place the needs and rights of persons with disabilities, particularly youth, at the forefront of discussions and decisions.
The Summit of the Future is a high-level gathering of world leaders aimed at forging a new international consensus on how to address current challenges and secure a sustainable future. The summit recognises that the global community needs to strengthen international cooperation to tackle emerging threats and opportunities.
This critical event presents a unique opportunity to rebuild trust and demonstrate the effectiveness of international cooperation in achieving agreed upon goals.
The Summit will result in an inter-governmentally agreed Pact for the Future, encompassing a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations.
On July 15th, 2024, Sightsavers Ghana facilitated a forum for students with disabilities at the University of Ghana to gather their input on key considerations for world leaders.
Princess Mensah, Vice President of the Campus Association of Students with Special Needs, stressed the importance of inclusive policies that actively involve persons with disabilities in policy-making processes at all levels. She emphasised the need to amplify their voices and consider their experiences in all decisions that affect them.
Furthermore, she advocated for investments in fully accessible infrastructure, technology, and services, encompassing everything from public transportation to digital platforms. Additionally, Miss Mensah called for the enforcement and strengthening of laws protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, ensuring compliance and accountability on both national and international levels.
The students expressed a strong desire for policies that promote inclusive education from early childhood to higher education. They also emphasised the need for employment opportunities that recognise and accommodate the diverse abilities of young people with disabilities. Emphasising Goal 8 of the Sustainable Development Goals on inclusive employment, they called for the development of strategies and programs to significantly boost employment opportunities for young people with disabilities globally.
The students further advocated for healthcare systems equipped to meet the needs of persons with disabilities, including training for healthcare professionals and removing barriers to access.
Addressing stigma and discrimination, Princess Mensah called for global campaigns to raise awareness and challenge negative perceptions of disability, promoting a culture of acceptance and inclusion.
The suggestions made by the students will be compiled into a report to guide Ghana’s delegates at the summit.
Sightsavers Ghana Country Representative, Mr. David Agyemang, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting, stating that his organisation has created a platform for the students’ voices to be heard.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com