A two-year European Union-funded project aimed at strengthening disability inclusion and amplifying the voices of women with disabilities has come to an end in Ho, with stakeholders urging continued collaboration to sustain its impact.
The closing event, held at the GNAT Conference Hall, brought together government officials, civil society organizations, development partners, organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), and community actors to review progress made under the initiative.
The project, titled “Strengthening Civil Society Representation of Women with Disabilities in Ghana,” was implemented by the Women with Disability Development and Advocacy Organization (WODAO) 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.
Speaking at the event, WODAO Executive Director, Veronica Denyo Kofiedu, described the project as a major step forward in ensuring that women with disabilities are actively involved in shaping decisions that affect their lives.
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 part in advocacy and community engagement.
“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.
She added that the project also contributed to promoting gender equality, disability inclusion, climate-responsive advocacy, and stronger grassroots participation.
Programme Manager at Sightsavers, Mohammed Abdul-Razak, highlighted the reach and impact of the project, noting that it engaged over 2,000 beneficiaries and maintained strong implementation performance throughout its duration.
He called on government to expedite the passage of the Persons with Disabilities Bill, while addressing employment challenges confronting persons with disabilities, particularly graduates.
Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, commended the partners for their collaboration, 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.
Volta Regional Coordinating Director, Alhaji Mohammed Avona Akape, also underscored the importance of partnership in achieving sustainable development outcomes.
“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 stated, adding that sustained collaboration will be key to maintaining the gains made.
A Project Officer with WODAO, George Kofiedu, revealed that the project exceeded several of its 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.
Delivering a solidarity message, Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana, Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor, emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to advance disability inclusion.
He described inclusive storytelling and representation as critical tools in amplifying the voices of persons with disabilities.
“Storytelling is power. Visibility is power. Voice is power,” he said.
Dr. Wemakor announced that Human Rights Reporters Ghana will host a high-level dialogue at RightsCon 2026, scheduled for May 6, 2026, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, Zambia.
The dialogue, themed “Silenced Twice: Press Freedom and Disability Voices Under Threat in Africa,” will bring together journalists, disability rights advocates, policymakers, and digital rights actors to discuss ways of improving inclusion in media and digital spaces.
He explained that the forum will explore how media systems can be made more inclusive, promote ethical reporting on disability issues, strengthen the capacity of persons with disabilities to tell their own stories, and address the risks of digital exclusion.
According to him, the dialogue is expected to produce practical recommendations to guide policy and practice in advancing disability inclusion.
“This is not just a media issue—it is a human rights issue. When voices are excluded, democracy itself is weakened,” he said.
Participants at the event reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining the gains of the project and strengthening partnerships to promote inclusive development across Ghana.
Source: HRR Ghana
