Accra, GHANA – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ghana Federation for Disability Organizations (GFD) officially launched their “Expanding Participation for Persons with Disabilities” activity on April 21. At the launch, the U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Robert P. Jackson; Executive Secretary of the National Council on Persons with Disabilities, Kwamena Dadsie Dennis; GFD President, Yaw Ofori Debra and others expressed their commitment to partnering to increase the rights of people with disabilities in Ghana.

The “Expanding Participation for Persons with Disabilities” activity will support and build the capacity of Ghanaian disabled persons’ organizations to effectively advocate for and protect the rights of Ghanaians with disabilities. The activity will work with seven national organizations, 10 regional disability networks and coalitions, and 30 grassroots, district-based organizations. The activity will also develop an assessment tool to measure the disability sensitivity of institutions and their compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and pro-disability laws and policies in Ghana.

“We are proud to partner with such a strong Ghanaian organization,” said Ambassador Jackson at the launch event. “I have full confidence that together, we can make a real difference in the lives of Ghanaians with disabilities and make Ghana a better place for everyone,” he said.

The activity is part of USAID/Ghana’s Democracy, Rights, and Governance portfolio. USAID/Ghana's Democracy, Rights and Governance programs support improved local government performance, increased accountability to citizens, and transparent electoral processes. The GFD is a civil society organization which brings together the key organizations of people with disabilities in Ghana, representing more than 3 million people. 

About USAID
USAID is the lead U.S. government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. For more than 50 years, USAID has supported Ghana in increasing food security, improving basic health care, enhancing access to quality basic education, and strengthening local governance to benefit all Ghanaian people.