The Women with Disability Development and Advocacy Organisation (WODAO) has honoured Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, with a citation in recognition of his commitment to promoting inclusive governance and advancing the rights of women and girls with disabilities in the Volta Region.
The organisation commended the Minister for championing the inclusion of persons with disabilities in governance and development processes and for supporting initiatives aimed at ensuring that women and girls with disabilities realise their full potential for the collective advancement of the region.
According to the citation, Mr Gunu’s support contributed significantly to the successful implementation of WODAO’s project, dubbed: “Strengthening Civil Society Representation of Women with Disabilities in Ghana.”
Madam Veronica Denyo Kofiedu, Founder and Executive Director of WODAO, presented the citation to the Minister on behalf of the Board and Management of the organisation during a courtesy call on him at the Residency in Ho.
She said WODAO remained committed to collaborating with the Volta Regional Coordinating Council (VRCC) and other government institutions to promote disability-inclusive development across the region.
Madam Kofiedu noted that the organisation would continue to work with the VRCC to advance inclusive education, women’s economic empowerment, youth employment, digital inclusion, inclusive governance, safeguarding, policy implementation and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
She underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships to ensure that women and girls with disabilities were not left behind in the region’s development agenda.
“We must work together to build a Volta region where no woman or girl with a disability is left behind,” she said.
The Executive Director emphasised the importance of working together to establish comprehensive measures to “build a Volta Region where no woman or girl with a disability is left behind.”
Madam Kofiedu also used the occasion to follow up on the organisation’s earlier request for support in securing a permanent and accessible office space in Ho.
She explained that WODAO currently operates from a shared office within the premises of the Africa Disability Institute, adding that although the organisation was grateful for the arrangement, the space had become inadequate to meet its growing operational demands.
According to her, a dedicated office would enhance service delivery to women and girls with disabilities, provide a suitable venue for training programmes, meetings and stakeholder engagements, strengthen collaboration with government institutions, and serve as a regional disability resource and referral centre.
Mr Gunu expressed appreciation to WODAO for the recognition and commended the organisation for its unwavering commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of women and girls with disabilities.
He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting disability-inclusive development and assured the organisation of his office’s readiness to collaborate with it in advancing its objectives.
The Minister disclosed that the request for office accommodation had received formal consideration and that steps were being taken to address the issue.
He reiterated the VRCC’s commitment to creating an inclusive society where all persons, irrespective of their physical condition, had equal opportunities to contribute to development.
GNA
