Global Disability Summit opens with a call for more awareness on Disability issues

Ms. Gertrude Oforiwaa Fefoame, Ghana’s representative at the United Nation’s Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has called on Disabled Persons Organizations(DPOs) to intensify awareness creation at all levels

She said some government representatives or policy makers do not understand the role of the Disabled Persons organizations in the effective implementation of the CRPD hence the need for continuous awareness.

Ms. Fefoame made the call at the opening of Global Disability Summit a conference where disabled persons’ organizations and government has met to make commitments on the implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities

The Global Disability Summit will raise global attention on a long neglected area, mobilize new global and national commitments on disability inclusion and showcase good practice, innovation and evidence from across the world.

Ms. Fefoame who was part of a panel discussing the topic: Implementation of the CRDP: What Civil Society sees is needed to achieve full and effective implementation.”

She said decisions should not be made on behalf of persons with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, women and girls with disabilities must all be involved in decision making.

“Awareness creation will ensure that policy makers get it right,” she said and added “Nothing for us without us”

Ms. Fefoame also expressed concern about how disability issues are fragmented in Ghana and called for a concerted effort that harmonized disability issues in Ghana.

Ms. Otiko Afisah Djaba, Ghana’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection who led a Ghanaian delegation to the summit will later be making a statement on Ghana’s commitment to the implementation of the CRDP