Executive Director of Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG), Dr. Joseph Kobla Wemakor has thrown his support behind growing calls for Ghana to ratify the African Disability Protocol (ADP), stressing the need for stronger protection and inclusion of persons with disabilities, especially women and girls.
According to him, the media must move beyond traditional reporting and actively amplify the voices and concerns of persons with disabilities to ensure their issues remain visible in national discourse and policymaking.
Dr. Wemakor made the remarks during an Inception and Stakeholder Engagement Workshop organised by the Women with Disability Development and Advocacy Organization (WODAO) in partnership with the Network of Women with Disabilities Africa (NEWDA) at the Tomreik Hotel in Accra.
The workshop, held under the theme, “Strengthening the Women with Disabilities Movement and Advancing the Ratification of the African Disability Protocol in Ghana,” brought together parliamentarians, disability rights advocates, journalists, development partners, civil society organisations and government representatives.
Delivering a solidarity message at the event, Dr. Wemakor commended WODAO and NEWDA for what he described as a bold and timely intervention aimed at promoting disability rights, inclusion and social justice in Ghana.
He noted that women and girls with disabilities continue to face multiple forms of discrimination, exclusion and barriers that affect their access to education, employment opportunities, leadership positions and national development processes.
“The media has a crucial responsibility to amplify the voices of persons with disabilities and ensure that their issues remain part of national conversations and policy reforms,” he stated.
Dr. Wemakor further pledged HRRG’s commitment to collaborating with disability-focused organisations and stakeholders to advance advocacy efforts toward the ratification and implementation of the African Disability Protocol in Ghana.
According to him, ratifying the protocol would significantly strengthen Ghana’s legal and policy framework on disability inclusion while reinforcing the protection of the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities.
He also called on Parliament, government institutions, civil society organisations, journalists and development partners to work collectively towards building a more inclusive society where persons with disabilities are empowered to participate fully in national development.
The workshop also featured strong calls from disability advocates and stakeholders for Ghana to expedite the ratification of the African Disability Protocol.
Convener of NEWDA, Prof. Augustina Naami, highlighted the persistent discrimination and exclusion faced by women with disabilities across Ghana and Africa.
She explained that women and girls with disabilities remain among the most vulnerable groups in society due to limited opportunities, unemployment, poverty and exposure to gender-based violence.
Prof. Naami noted that although Ghana had enacted the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006 (Act 715), and the National Gender Policy, existing legal frameworks still fail to adequately address the specific challenges confronting women and girls with disabilities.
“Our vision is to create an inclusive society where women with disabilities thrive with equality, dignity and full participation,” she stated.
Representing the Parliamentary Caucus on Persons with Disabilities, Member of Parliament for Suhum, Hon. Frank Asiedu Bekoe, reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to supporting disability-inclusive legislation and reforms.
He described the workshop as timely and important, noting that ratification of the African Disability Protocol would strengthen Ghana’s disability governance and protection systems.
Programme Manager at Sightsavers Ghana, Mohammed Abdul-Razak, also expressed concern over Ghana’s delay in ratifying the protocol despite the country’s long-standing reputation in championing disability inclusion across Africa.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of WODAO and Project Lead, Veronica Denyo Kofiedu, said the initiative forms part of a broader advocacy campaign funded by ADD International under the Disability Justice Fund for Women.
She explained that the project seeks to strengthen the women with disabilities movement, amplify their voices and build strategic partnerships capable of influencing national policies and advocacy.
The workshop ended with renewed calls for stronger collaboration, sustained advocacy and urgent action toward Ghana’s ratification and implementation of the African Disability Protocol.
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