This was disclosed by Mr. Francis Asong, the Executive Director of VOICE GHANA in a press briefing in Ho today. He said VOICE GHANA has supported fifteen disability Self-help Groups in these districts to select a total of thirty influential community members as their respective Inclusion Ambassadors. The Inclusion Ambassadors are working voluntarily as liaisons to, among others, communicate issues concerning persons with disabilities at the grassroots to their respective District Assemblies for redress. They are also supporting persons with disabilities to demand their rights and fight for social inclusion. “This initiative is being facilitated by STAR-Ghana with funding from UKaid, DANIDA and EUROPEAN UNION, stated by Mr. Asong”. He was full of praise to the five beneficiary District Assemblies for the interest shown in the project, and their readiness to support the Inclusion Ambassadors in ensuring that issues affecting persons with disabilities are given the necessary attention at their various Assemblies. “For the first time in the history of Ashiabre and Katanga, a community elder and a traditional ruler, Elder Tinor Simon and Nana Kwaku Denteh – Akwamuhene had respectively opted to voluntarily become the Inclusion Ambassadors for their PWDs community members”, hinted by Mr. Charles Nyante, the Programs Manager of VOICE GHANA. Mr. Patrick Kwame Ahiabu, the Hon. Presiding Member of the Akatsi North District Assembly is also supporting persons with disabilities at Ave-Dapka, voluntarily, as their Inclusion Ambassador. “We see this positive changes as a shining example and a sustainable intervention, which we are extoling to others to emulate, disclosed by Mr. Nyante”. He further hinted that the project is also facilitating the process for the formation of Disability Caucus in the five target District Assemblies, to act as social groups to promote the interest of persons with disabilities at assembly meetings and local policy decision making processes. Mr. John Nanka, The Chairman of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations in Nkwanta North District scored the Nkwanta North District Assembly 80%. He explained the Assembly has now identified the need to make public facilities accessible to persons with disabilities, and has also incorporated development priorities collated from persons with disabilities into the Assembly’s Medium Term Development Plan for 2018-2021. The Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) Volta Regional Council is the key partner of the project. Signed Francis Asong, Executive Director Phone: 0243913183 / 0207984633 15th March 2018 For immediate release by: 1. JoyNews, Ho 2. Citi-FM, Ho 3. Ghana News Agency, Ho 4. Daily Graphic, Ho |
