<p data-start="100" data-end="365"><strong>The Women with Disability Development and Advocacy Organization (WODAO) has honoured the European Union, Sightsavers International and key partners for their pivotal roles in advancing disability inclusion in Ghana, as it officially closed a two-year project in Ho.</strong></p>
<p data-start="367" data-end="678">The recognition took place during a Learn and Share Festival held on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the GNAT Conference Hall, bringing together government officials, civil society organizations, development partners, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), traditional authorities and community leaders.</p>
<p data-start="680" data-end="953">The event marked the conclusion of the European Union-funded project titled <em data-start="756" data-end="839">“Strengthening Civil Society Representation of Women with Disabilities in Ghana,”</em> which was implemented by WODAO in partnership with Sightsavers and the ABAK Foundation from May 2024 to May 2026.</p>
<p data-start="955" data-end="1201">As part of the ceremony, WODAO presented a citation of honour to the European Union and Sightsavers International, while certificates were awarded to other partners and collaborators in recognition of their contributions to the project’s success.</p>
<p data-start="1203" data-end="1384">The citation on behalf of Sightsavers International was received by its Programme Manager, Mohammed Abdul-Razak, and presented by WODAO’s Executive Director, Veronica Denyo Kofiedu.</p>
<p data-start="1386" data-end="1607">Delivering remarks at the event, Ms. Kofiedu described the project as a transformative intervention that significantly amplified the voices and participation of women with disabilities in governance and advocacy processes.</p>
<p data-start="1609" data-end="1837">She noted that the initiative strengthened two co-applicant organizations and 23 downstream groups across the Volta and Oti Regions, while mentoring 45 women with disabilities to take up leadership roles and engage policymakers.</p>
<p data-start="1839" data-end="2017">“We have contributed to ensuring that women and girls with disabilities are not only seen and heard, but actively engaged in shaping decisions that affect their lives,” she said.</p>
<p data-start="2019" data-end="2212">According to her, the project also advanced gender equality, disability inclusion, climate-responsive advocacy and grassroots participation, while building stronger networks among stakeholders.</p>
<p data-start="2214" data-end="2455">Programme Manager at Sightsavers, Mohammed Abdul-Razak, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative, revealing that it reached over 2,000 beneficiaries and maintained consistent implementation performance throughout the two-year period.</p>
<p data-start="2457" data-end="2647">He called on government to expedite the passage of the Persons with Disabilities Bill and address persistent employment challenges faced by persons with disabilities, particularly graduates.</p>
<p data-start="2649" data-end="2786">Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, commended WODAO and its partners for what he described as a model approach to inclusive development.</p>
<p data-start="2788" data-end="2932">“Inclusive development is not optional—it is essential. No society can truly progress if sections of its population are left behind,” he stated.</p>
<p data-start="2934" data-end="3054">He further reiterated government’s commitment to policies and programmes that promote equal opportunities and inclusion.</p>
<p data-start="3056" data-end="3272">Volta Regional Coordinating Director, Alhaji Mohammed Avona Akape, also emphasized the importance of partnerships, noting that the success of the project demonstrated what could be achieved through collective effort.</p>
<p data-start="3274" data-end="3497">“Today we celebrate the progress we have made together. This project has shown us that when we work together, we can achieve great things,” he said, calling for sustained collaboration to preserve and expand the gains made.</p>
<p data-start="3499" data-end="3828">Presenting the project outcomes, WODAO Project Officer, George Kofiedu, disclosed that the initiative exceeded several of its targets, including training 122 civil society staff against an initial target of 75, reaching 586 downstream participants, and implementing 36 advocacy actions at community, district and national levels.</p>
<p data-start="3830" data-end="4057">He, however, acknowledged challenges such as limited awareness of disability inclusion, resource constraints, coordination difficulties and accessibility barriers, stressing the need for continued efforts to address these gaps.</p>
<p data-start="4059" data-end="4304">In a solidarity message, Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, Dr Joseph Kobla Wemakor, underscored the urgent need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to deepen disability inclusion efforts across the country and beyond.</p>
<p data-start="4306" data-end="4486">He described inclusive storytelling as a powerful tool for change, stressing that visibility and representation are essential in amplifying the voices of persons with disabilities.</p>
<p data-start="4488" data-end="4558">“Storytelling is power. Visibility is power. Voice is power,” he said.</p>
<p data-start="4560" data-end="4833">Dr Wemakor used the platform to rally support for ongoing global advocacy efforts, announcing that Human Rights Reporters Ghana will host a high-level dialogue at the RightsCon 2026 Summit on May 6, 2026, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia.</p>
<p data-start="4835" data-end="5104">The session, themed <em data-start="4855" data-end="4934">“Silenced Twice: Press Freedom and Disability Voices Under Threat in Africa,”</em> is expected to bring together journalists, disability rights advocates, policymakers and digital rights actors to address systemic exclusion in media and digital spaces.</p>
<p data-start="5106" data-end="5423">He explained that the dialogue will explore how media systems can become more inclusive and accessible, promote ethical and dignity-centered reporting on disability issues, strengthen the capacity of persons with disabilities to tell their own stories, and address the growing risks of digital exclusion across Africa.</p>
<p data-start="5425" data-end="5646">He stressed that the engagement aims to generate practical, action-oriented recommendations to ensure that ongoing efforts to promote press freedom and digital transformation do not leave persons with disabilities behind.</p>
<p data-start="5648" data-end="5775">“This is not just a media issue—it is a human rights issue. When voices are excluded, democracy itself is weakened,” he stated.</p>
<p data-start="5777" data-end="5994" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">Participants at the event reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the gains made under the project and strengthening partnerships to advance inclusive development, gender equality and disability rights across Ghana.</p>
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