Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, has pledged his organisationâs unwavering support for ongoing advocacy efforts aimed at advancing disability rights, inclusion and the ratification of the African Disability Protocol (ADP) in Ghana.
According to him, protecting the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, particularly women and girls, must remain a national priority requiring collective action from government, civil society, the media and development partners.
Dr. Wemakor made the remarks while delivering a solidarity message during an Inception and Stakeholder Engagement Workshop organised by the Women with Disability Development and Advocacy Organization (WODAO) in partnership with the Network of Women with Disabilities Africa (NEWDA) at the Tomreik Hotel in Accra.
The workshop, held under the project titled âStrengthening the Women with Disabilities Movement and Advancing the Ratification of the African Disability Protocol in Ghana,â brought together parliamentarians, disability rights advocates, journalists, civil society organisations, development partners and government representatives to deliberate on strategies for promoting disability inclusion and policy reforms in Ghana.
Addressing participants, Dr. Wemakor commended WODAO and NEWDA for spearheading what he described as a bold, timely and transformative initiative geared toward strengthening the voices, leadership and participation of women with disabilities within Ghanaâs development process.
He stressed that women and girls with disabilities continue to face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, exclusion and marginalisation that undermine their access to education, employment, healthcare, leadership opportunities and social protection.
âThe media has a critical responsibility to amplify the voices of persons with disabilities and ensure that issues affecting them remain visible within national conversations, governance processes and policy reforms,â he stated.
Dr. Wemakor reaffirmed HRRGâs commitment to partnering with disability-focused organisations and stakeholders to promote advocacy, awareness creation, inclusive governance and human rights protection for persons with disabilities.
According to him, Ghanaâs ratification of the African Disability Protocol would represent a significant milestone in strengthening the countryâs legal and policy framework on disability rights and inclusion.
He explained that the protocol would further reinforce protections for women and girls with disabilities who often face heightened vulnerability to discrimination, poverty, violence and exclusion.
Dr. Wemakor further called on Parliament, government institutions, civil society organisations, journalists, development partners and the wider public to support efforts toward the ratification and implementation of the protocol.
âBuilding an inclusive society requires intentional action, stronger collaboration and sustained advocacy to ensure that persons with disabilities are empowered to participate fully and meaningfully in national development,â he added.
The workshop also witnessed renewed calls from stakeholders for Ghana to expedite the ratification of the African Disability Protocol.
Convener of NEWDA, Prof. Augustina Naami, underscored the urgent need for stronger protections and inclusive policies targeting women and girls with disabilities.
She observed that despite existing legal frameworks such as the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006 (Act 715), women with disabilities continue to experience exclusion, unemployment, poverty and gender-based violence.
âOur vision is to create an inclusive society where women with disabilities thrive with equality, dignity and full participation,â she said.
Representing the Parliamentary Caucus on Persons with Disabilities, Member of Parliament for Suhum, Hon. Frank Asiedu Bekoe, reaffirmed Parliamentâs commitment to supporting disability-inclusive legislation and reforms.
Programme Manager at Sightsavers Ghana, Mohammed Abdul-Razak, also expressed concern over Ghanaâs delay in ratifying the protocol despite the countryâs strong reputation in championing disability inclusion and human rights in Africa.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of WODAO and Project Lead, Veronica Denyo Kofiedu, explained that the initiative forms part of a broader advocacy campaign funded by ADD International under the Disability Justice Fund for Women.
She noted that the project seeks to strengthen the women with disabilities movement, amplify their voices and build strategic partnerships capable of influencing national policies and advancing disability rights advocacy in Ghana.
The workshop ended with renewed commitments from stakeholders to intensify advocacy, deepen collaboration and sustain momentum toward the ratification and implementation of the African Disability Protocol in Ghana.