GOMOA Potsin, CENTRAL REGION – In a bold step toward inclusive governance and disability mainstreaming, the African Disability Policy Advocates (ADPA), in collaboration with the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD), has officially launched a pilot programme to establish disability desks across all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana.
The first consultative meeting under this initiative was successfully held today at the Gomoa East Municipal Assembly in the Central Region. The meeting brought together local government officials, disability rights advocates, and policy stakeholders to begin the process of integrating disability-focused services within the local governance framework.
Leading the ADPA delegation was Ms. Mariam Nyarkoah Amponsah, Director of Communication and Administration, who emphasized the importance of institutionalising disability desks to improve access, representation, and service delivery for persons with disabilities at the grassroots level.
“This marks a new era in our collective journey toward inclusion,” Ms. Amponsah said. “By establishing dedicated disability desks, we are ensuring that the voices and concerns of persons with disabilities are no longer sidelined in local governance.”
The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations was represented by its Central Regional President, Mr. Charles Ocran, who lauded the initiative as a long-overdue step in fulfilling the commitments of Ghana’s Disability Act and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“This pilot is not just symbolic—it is foundational. Every MMDA must recognize that inclusive development starts with inclusive planning,” Mr. Ocran noted.
The Deputy Chief Director of the Gomoa East Municipal Assembly represented the Assembly at the meeting and affirmed the Assembly’s readiness to support the implementation of the disability desk, pledging collaboration and logistical support.
This pilot programme is expected to be scaled to other districts in the coming months, with ADPA and GFD working jointly to provide technical support, training, and monitoring frameworks for sustainability.
A Nation Becoming More Inclusive
The move has been widely welcomed by disability advocates and civic groups as a progressive approach to ensuring equal participation in local decision-making, resource allocation, and community development.
