Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, has called for strengthened collaboration among stakeholders to advance disability inclusion, as a two-year European Union-funded project came to an end in Ho.
The project, which sought to strengthen disability inclusion and amplify the voices of women with disabilities, brought together government officials, civil society organizations, development partners, and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) at a closing event held at the GNAT Conference Hall on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
Delivering a solidarity message, Dr. Wemakor emphasized the critical role of inclusive storytelling and representation in advancing the rights of persons with disabilities.
“Storytelling is power. Visibility is power. Voice is power,” he said, stressing that amplifying lived experiences was key to driving policy change and social transformation.
The initiative, titled “Strengthening Civil Society Representation of Women with Disabilities in Ghana,” was implemented by the Women with Disability Development and Advocacy Organization in partnership with Sightsavers and the ABAK Foundation, with funding support from the European Union.
Running from May 2024 to May 2026, the project focused on building the capacity of civil society organizations to promote gender equality, disability inclusion, and the meaningful participation of women with disabilities in governance and decision-making processes.
Dr. Wemakor announced that HRRG would host a high-level dialogue at the RightsCon 2026 scheduled for May 6, 2026, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre.
The dialogue, themed “Silenced Twice: Press Freedom and Disability Voices Under Threat in Africa,” is expected to bring together journalists, disability rights advocates, policymakers, and digital rights actors to explore ways of improving inclusion in media and digital spaces.
He noted that the forum would examine how media systems could be made more inclusive, promote ethical reporting on disability issues, strengthen the capacity of persons with disabilities to tell their own stories, and address risks of digital exclusion.
“This is not just a media issue—it is a human rights issue. When voices are excluded, democracy itself is weakened,” he added.
Earlier, Veronica Denyo Kofiedu, Executive Director of WODAO, described the project as a significant step towards ensuring that women with disabilities actively participated in shaping decisions that affect their lives.
She said the initiative strengthened two co-applicant organizations and 23 downstream groups across the Volta and Oti Regions, while mentoring 45 women with disabilities in advocacy and community engagement.
Mohammed Abdul-Razak, Programme Manager at Sightsavers, highlighted the project’s reach, noting that it engaged over 2,000 beneficiaries and maintained strong implementation performance.
He called on government to expedite the passage of the Persons with Disabilities Bill and address employment challenges facing persons with disabilities, particularly graduates.
James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, commended the implementing partners, describing the project as a model for inclusive development.
“Inclusive development is not optional—it is essential. No society can truly progress if sections of its population are left behind,” he said.
Alhaji Mohammed Avona Akape, Volta Regional Coordinating Director, also underscored the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainable development outcomes.
A Project Officer with WODAO, George Kofiedu, disclosed that the project exceeded several targets, including training 122 civil society staff against a target of 75, reaching 586 downstream participants, and implementing 36 advocacy actions.
He, however, noted challenges such as limited awareness of disability inclusion, resource constraints, coordination difficulties, and accessibility gaps.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the gains made and strengthening partnerships to promote inclusive development across Ghana.
