THE LAUNCHING OF ‘PERD’ (PROMOTING EQAL RIGHTS FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS WITH DISABILTY), AND SUPPORT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITY IN GHANA

On February 25, 2022 Kwabre East Municipal Assembly successfully launched ‘PERD’ (Promoting Equal Rights for Women and Girls with Disability).

Dignitaries as Hon. Oheneba Agyemang Bonsu (MCE – KEMA), Nana Kontihene (Mampontemg), Mr. Theophilus Ayugane (Netherlands Embassy and Policy Advisor), Miss Bernice Narh (Executive Director Africa Center for Human Rights and Sustainable Development), Miss Maggita Ama Mills (GES Gomoa West and SPED Coordinator), Mr. Albert Boateng  (Department of Social Welfare), Rev. Dr. Fatawu Fuseini( Jachie Training Center- Principal), Miss Vida Aidoo (Headmistress, Ashanti School for the Deaf ), Miss Abena Adobea Amoah (Planned Parenthood Association Ghana), Miss Farida Amid  (GCSP Rep.), Miss Alice Appiah (National Gender Officer), Miss Susie Arku (Women in Need),  Mr. Bediako Brempong (MCD –KEMA), Mr. Resford Owus Banahene (PERD Project Officer), Mr. Stephen Attah Gyamfi (SWCD- KEMA), Heads of Departments ( KEMA) and all protocols observed were present.

The goal of this project is to promote the fundamental human rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities (WGD), particularly the rights to employment and the protection from Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in Ghana by the end of June 2024 and it is implemented by a three-member consortium consisting of the Planned Parenthood Association Ghana (PPAG), Women In Need (WIN) and African Center for Human Rights and Sustainable Development (AfCHuRSD).

The event started around 10: 45 AM with an opening prayer by Mr. Richard Brefo Boateng followed by the introduction of dignitaries by the MC, Mr. Stephen Anderson (MCO) and the introduction of the Chairperson. Nana Kontihene of Mamponteng gave thanks to the chief of Mamponteng for giving him the utmost opportunity to represent him as the chairman of the said project launch. He inclined to be the chairman of the event launch. He encouraged everyone present to collaborate and support him in making the program a successful one.

Going forward, Hon. Oheneba Agyemang Bonsu (MCE) gave a welcome address. According to the Hon. MCE; He was so passionate to see brothers and sisters who share the same interest with him to participate in the program. He felt amused for the Municipal Management Committee for organizing the day to join hands with persons with disabilities in the municipality. He emphasized on the P.W.Ds common fund which has been increased to 3% by His Excellency Nana Akuffo Addo since he became the president, though he thinks there is more room for development. He mentioned his gratefulness to the government of Netherland for their support in helping to address challenges of Ghanaians and most especially the vulnerable. He also recommended the Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana’s work and he believes that Kwabre East Municipal Assembly is going to benefit from it.

Again, he gave a heartfelt thanks to the PPAG for choosing his municipality and he entreated everyone to assist in
making this project a better one.

Notwithstanding, Miss Bernice (Executive Director, Africa Center for Human Rights and Sustainable Development)
 gave her speech. She made it known that, the work of AfCHuRSD is to promote the rights and dignity of people and
their vision is to a society where the dignities of persons are respected and protected and the benefit of sustained developments are equitable. She also stated that, they are helping to empower people to create lasting change in their
 own lives and communities and strengthening women’s voice and participating at all levels in society could have significant positive impacts.

A choreographed dance piece was displayed by ASHDEAF as an interlude to the event.

Afterwards, we had solidarity messages from ASHDEAF, Ministry of Gender representative, Ministry of Employment and Labor, Social Welfare in which they all spoke to elaborate on how they are going to perform their roles and ensure how their roles would benefit the vulnerable in the PERD project initiated.

Moreover, the Ambassador of the Netherlands Embassy to Ghana, Mr. Theophilus Ayugane gave his speech on behalf
of the Embassy. On behalf of the Netherlands government, he presented an amount of money to show their support and love for the vulnerable especially women and girls in the Ghanaian society. He encouraged the NGOs to keep on supporting because the disables need love and care in and be reminded of the iota of belongingness to the world.

Summarily, Mr. Theophilus Ayugane called upon Hon. Oheneba Agyemang Bonsu forward and together, they
launched this PERD project success