PWD Entrepreneurs ask for govt support

The Ghana Persons with Disabilities Entrepreneurs and Business Association has called on the government to provide better support and resources for disabled entrepreneurs in the country. 

At a news conference in Accra last Monday, the association’s President, Richard Offei, expressed concern over what he said was the government's disregard for disability issues.

This, he said, reflected in public and governmental attitudes which continued “to exclude and marginalise people with disabilities”.

Mr Offei said disabled entrepreneurs in Ghana struggled to access capital and resources, often facing prejudice within the business community.

"There are more than 3,000 entrepreneurs with disabilities in Ghana. We aim to work and contribute to the economy, not beg on the streets," he said.

He called for changes within the banking system to make financial assistance more accessible to the vulnerable society, citing experiences where banks refused to offer loans due to bias against people with disabilities.

Mr Offei also highlighted the hard work of people with disability, as he made reference to a new natural fruit beverage venture that the association had developed, saying the venture could employ thousands of people with disabilities.

He consequently urged the Ministry of Trade and Industry to support the business, emphasising that disabled entrepreneurs deserved the same opportunities as others in the business sector.

Intervention

Mr Offei also admonished government officials to recognise the potential within the PWD community, indicating that the association had trained members in various skills, including leather work, bead making and farming to ensure economic independence.

He further pointed out that there were talented PWDs who produced high-quality goods and services even without machines or proper facilities. 

Mr Offei advocated for strong support from state agencies that oversee trade, industry and social development.

He pointed out that the government often overlooked disabled entrepreneurs and students when distributing resources and opportunities, making it difficult for them to pursue careers or improve their skills and enterprises. 

"Whether it will come in the form of funding or the form of accessibility, they should just make it for us," he urged.

Accessibility 

Mr Offei also called on the government and public institutions to make facilities accessible and to include PWDs in special voting arrangements. 

He expressed frustration over the inaccessibility of many government and educational buildings, stressing that barriers remained in places essential to public life.

He also noted how other important centres, including infrastructure at some ministries in Ghana, lacked equipment suitable for people with disabilities.

"Most of the devices there are not disabled-friendly," he said and added that the limitation hindered PWDs interested in careers in information technology. 

Special Voting

With Ghana’s upcoming elections approaching, Mr Offei said it would have been right to have included persons with disabilities in the special voting arrangement.

He said the omission of PWDs from the special voting processes was “a failure in recognising the needs of disabled voters”. He asked: "Why not include the disabled?”