A powerful call for action echoed through the GNAT Conference Hall in Ho as stakeholders, advocates, and persons with disabilities united to demand stronger systems, inclusive governance, and full enforcement of disability laws in Ghana.
The call came during a thought-provoking panel discussion held on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, as part of the Learn and Share Festival organized by the Women with Disability Development x Advocacy Organization (WODAO).
The event marked the culmination of a two-year European Union-funded project titled “Strengthening Civil Society Representation of Women with Disabilities in Ghana,” implemented in partnership with Sightsavers and the ABAK Foundation.
Beyond marking the end of the project, the discussion became a platform for truth-telling, lived experiences, and bold demands for systemic change.
At the heart of the conversation was a clear message: disability inclusion is not an act of charity—it is a fundamental human right.
Mrs. Thywill Eyra Kpe, Volta Regional Director of the Department of Gender under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, set the tone by grounding the discussion in Ghana’s legal framework.
She emphasized that the rights of persons with disabilities are firmly enshrined in Article 29 of the 1992 Constitution, stressing that inclusion must be treated as a legal obligation rather than a moral favour.
“Disability rights are not about sympathy. They are about justice, dignity, and equality,” she noted, while acknowledging that significant gaps still exist between policy and practice.
Building on this, Madam Stella Mawusi Agbezuhlor Mawutor, Volta Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, pointed to growing awareness and the increasing role of civil society in bridging those gaps.
She highlighted how advocacy efforts are gradually influencing infrastructure design and public consciousness, making accessibility a growing priority across institutions.
“We may not be where we want to be yet, but we are not where we used to be. Progress is happening—and we must sustain it,” she said.
But it was the voice of lived experience that brought the room to a standstill.
Ms. Elikplim Klu, Volta Regional President of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD), delivered a passionate reminder that women with disabilities continue to face layered discrimination.
“Women with disabilities are fighting two battles—one as women, and another as persons with disabilities,” she said.
She challenged society to rethink its approach to inclusion, stressing that opportunity—not pity—is what women with disabilities need.
“When given the chance, we can lead. We can deliver. We can transform our communities,” she declared.
Her remarks shed light on persistent barriers including stigma, inaccessible infrastructure, limited leadership opportunities, and economic marginalisation—realities that continue to restrict full participation.
From a civil society perspective, Princess Lovia Tetteh, Executive Director of LoveAid Foundation, highlighted the power of advocacy and collaboration in driving change.
She noted that sustained efforts by civil society actors have contributed to increasing the allocation of the District Assembly Common Fund for persons with disabilities from three to five per cent.
She stressed the importance of designing programmes with—not for—persons with disabilities.
“Inclusion becomes real when the people affected are part of the decision-making process,” she said.
The discussion also brought forward practical solutions, including the need for stronger data systems, targeted capacity-building, and deliberate efforts to elevate women with disabilities into leadership spaces.
Stakeholders further called for a stronger focus on rural communities, where stigma, poverty, and limited access to services continue to deepen exclusion.
Adding a human face to the statistics, beneficiaries of the project shared powerful testimonies of transformation.
Miss Juliana Ntenye described how the initiative reshaped her confidence and voice.
“Before this programme, I was shy. Today, I speak, I advocate, and I engage my community,” she said.
Through mentorship and training, she has led advocacy engagements in churches and communities—challenging stereotypes and changing mindsets.
Other beneficiaries, including Madam Sherita Kudoda and Mr. Moses Foli, also shared stories of empowerment, highlighting how the project strengthened their awareness, leadership, and community engagement.
Their testimonies reinforced a key truth: when given the right tools and opportunities, persons with disabilities do not just participate—they lead.
Moderating the session, Ms. Veronica Denyo Kofiedu, Executive Director of WODAO, delivered a strong policy call that anchored the day’s discussions.
She urged government to urgently pass the Legislative Instrument needed to operationalize the Persons with Disabilities Act.
“Without the Legislative Instrument, the law cannot function effectively. We must move from promises to implementation,” she stated.
As the discussion drew to a close, one message remained clear—progress has been made, but the journey toward full inclusion is far from over.
Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the gains of the project, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that women with disabilities are not just included—but empowered to lead.
Because, as echoed throughout the room: inclusion is not charity—it is a right.