Madam Stella Mawusi Agbezuhlor Mawutor, Volta Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, has reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to integrating vulnerable persons into mainstream development to enable them to contribute meaningfully to society.
Speaking to Ghana News Agency (GNA) at House of Love’s ‘Night to Shine’ celebration for the children with special needs, she described it as a collaborative programme, unique and impactful, highlighting the partnership between the private sector, particularly the church, and state institutions in identifying and supporting children and persons with special needs and disabilities.
“This initiative shows what is possible when we unite to identify persons with special needs and abilities, train and empower them, promote their well-being and celebrate them,” she said.
Madam Mawutor noted that many people with disabilities across the world had excelled because their talents were recognised and nurtured by supportive families and communities. She stressed that society must shift its focus from limitations to abilities.
“Often, we concentrate on what people cannot do instead of discovering and developing what they can do. When we nurture their potential, they can make remarkable contributions to national development,” she said.
She called on Ghanaians to move beyond stigma and actively support children and persons with disabilities.
She added that it is a moment to celebrate and promote them, and to remind society that they deserve recognition, opportunity and inclusion.
Madam Mawutor explained that the Department of Social Welfare, as a state institution, maintained a comprehensive database of persons with disabilities across all 18 districts in the Volta Region.
The data, she said, supported planning, programming, and the provision of targeted interventions.
The database also enabled collaboration with NGOs, churches, and other organisations with similar mandates.
She disclosed that the Department supported families of children with disabilities through educational assistance, start-up capital for parents to undertake income-generating activities, counselling services, and referrals to specialised institutions.
“Though resources may be limited, we continuously identify support systems and partner institutions to ensure that persons with disabilities receive the assistance they need,” she said.
Madam Mawutor urged stakeholders, including faith-based organisations, civil society groups, the media and community members, to strengthen partnerships to advance inclusion.
She encouraged religious institutions to identify persons with disabilities within their congregations and develop tailored support initiatives.
“The media must help tell their stories and highlight their achievements,” she said, revealing plans to document success stories of beneficiaries to inspire broader societal support.
She also appealed to parents, particularly fathers, not to despair when a child with a disability is born into a family.
“It is not the end of the world. Do not hide them or stigmatise them. Seek help. There are institutions and individuals ready to support you,” she advised.
She assured families that they were not alone and encouraged them to access available specialised services and community support systems to help their children realise their full potential.
GNA
