DaSDA Africa launches 12-month project to promote rights of women with disabilities

The Disability and Social Development Advocacy Africa (DaSDA) Africa, an organization also known as Positive Impact has launched its 12 month advocacy project promoting the African Disability Protocol and the rights and freedoms of women with disability.

Mr. Isaac Wadi, Founder of DaSDA Africa said the organization is funded by ADD International through the Disability Justice Fund for Women (DJFW) to empower individuals with disabilities through advocacy, inclusion and social development – creating a more accessible equitable Africa for all.

The 12 months project called ” Advocacy And Sensitisation Exercise To Promote The African Disability Protocol : The rights and freedoms of women with disability, ” was luanched at Anyinam in the Atiwa East District by the founder and Rev. Mrs. Perpetual Essel-Cobbah, Minister In Charge of The Methodist Church, Anyinam.

The organization also launched its official song track titled ” We Rise, ” for the 12-month project that calls on all stakeholders to Rise to

the cause of disability advocacy.

Mr. Wadi said the Disability and Social Development Advocacy Africa also works to push for policy changes that will advance disability rights and empower women with disabilities to claim their rightful place in society.

” Through this initiative we aim to foster partnership and collaborations with the district assemblies, government agencies, and benevolent organizations, ” he noted.

Positive Impact calls on government to ratify the African disability protocol – Only 15 countries on the continent have ratified the ADP so far.

Rev. Mrs. Essel-Cobbah said the physically challenges were mostly looked down upon in our society and discriminated during employment opportunities, social inclusion and other areas.

She advised the public to eschew such habit and embrace all.

Inspector Eunice Amuzu from the Domestic Violence Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) said the launch of the 12-month advocacy project on disability rights underscores the Ghana Police Service’s firm commitment to protecting and serving all citizens, including persons living with disabilities (PWDs).

In line with the National Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715) and Ghana’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the Police Service is dedicated to ensuring that persons with disabilities receive equitable treatment, protection, and access to justice (Human Rights Initiative, 2024; UNPRPD, 2024).

This includes incorporating disability studies into law enforcement training curricula, treating persons with disabilities with dignity, and facilitating accessible police services (Human Rights Initiative, 2024).

The program also reflects a broader multi-sectoral effort to promote inclusion, reduce discrimination, and empower persons with disabilities through sensitization, policy enforcement, and community engagement, thereby reinforcing the Police Service’s role as an inclusive institution committed to the rights and safety of all Ghanaian citizens (Inclusion Ghana, 2024; National Council for Persons with Disability, 2017), Inspector Amuzu said.

Present at the launching ceremony were departmental heads of the Atiwa District Assembly, religious and traditional leaders, Chairman and members of the Ghana Society of Physically Disabled (GSDP) in the district.