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Ghana Co-hosts Second Global Disability Summit

17 February 2022

Caption: 8-year old Linda, student of the Akropong School for the Blind learning how to write the English alphabets in braille.

Photo: © UNICEF Ghana

Participants at the GDS 2022 demonstrate their commitment to disability-inclusive development and humanitarian action across regions and areas of work.

The Global Disability Summit 2022, the second of its kind, has taken place with participants reaffirming their commitment to “ensuring that political will and leadership generate lasting and meaningful change for persons with disabilities.” They further committed to accelerate disability inclusion through effective collaborations.

The 2022 Summit which was held virtually due to COVID-19, on 16 and 17 February, was organized by the International Disability Alliance (IDA) and co-hosted by the Government of Ghana and the Government of Norway. It aimed at mobilizing efforts for the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana applauded the tireless efforts of disability champions helping to ensure disability inclusion. He said, “embracing disability inclusion would enhance access to a talent pool for national development,” adding that “leaving no one behind” means countries have an obligation of reaching those furthest behind and prioritising their needs.

Speaking at the summit from Accra, the Executive Director of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD), Madam Rita Kusi Kyeremaa, said, as a co-host of the Summit, Ghana ought to demonstrate and provide leadership to other African countries and the world in ensuring disability-inclusive development.

Participants across the spectrum during Youth Summit and the Civil Society Forum, as well as from Regional Summits, demonstrated the breadth and depth of their commitment to disability-inclusive development and humanitarian action across regions and areas of work.

Approximately 1300 commitments were made by representatives from all stakeholder groups, including Organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), civil society organisations and multilateral organisations.

Caption: UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Charles Abani; Norway’s Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana, Ingrid Mollestad; and Mr. Niyi Ojuolape UNFPA Country Rep. admiring the products at the exhibition stand.

Photo: © UNFPA Ghana

The United Nations in Ghana worked closely with the Government of Ghana and the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations for the successful planning of the Summit and contributed immensely to the 2022 Commitments through the SDG Advisory Unit at the Office of the President and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

The UN also supported the exhibition organised by the GFD as a side event to showcase the resilience, resource and skills of PWDs.