NGO to train persons with disabilities launched

A former Minister of Gender Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur, has launched a Non-Profit Organisation, Power Empowerment (PEM), established to cater for persons with disabilities (PDWs), particularly women with mobility challenges.

Launched in Accra on Saturday, the organisation’s target is to train women with mobility challenges who beg for alms by the roadside, to acquire skills.

The organisation with the motto: ‘Increasing the worth of women with disability,' will, therefore  train its beneficiaries in bead-making to make them financially independent and provide them with decent shelter, while catering for their health needs and those of their children.

In her address, Nana Oye Lithur said the greatest thing one could do was to show love to the less privileged in society, but pointed out that, “Ironically, as we are increasingly getting more and more vulnerable people, society is also becoming more and more selfish.”

She, therefore, urged the public, especially the more privileged, to share in the values and inspirations of PEM.

“Beyond our homes, churches, communities and neighbourhoods, let us resolve to help the less fortunate in our country,” she said.

Vulnerable people

The founder of PEM, Ms Ethel Amekortu, said although women and children were generally considered vulnerable in society, those with disabilities tended to have more challenges as they were usually maligned and discriminated against.

She said the desire to launch the organisation was motivated by the passion to bridge the social gap that had marginalised women with disabilities, in order to make them feel socially accepted.

Ms Amekortu maintained that PWDs who qualified for a job should not be denied or sidelined due to their physical challenges, but should be given equal opportunities like all other people, to work and also make proper use of their skills.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Plan (NEIP), Mr John Kumah, lauded the founder for the initiative and called on others to emulate her actions.

He committed GH¢10,000 to the cause of PEM and pledged the government’s continuous support for the NGO.