Young persons with disabilities in Ghana are demanding direct access to decision-making spaces and funding. They want to cut out middlemen who handle financial support. This call follows the launch of the "Amplifying Voices" project. The project highlights systemic exclusion from governance and budgeting.
The "Amplifying Voices" project found that young disabled people are often over-trained but then not given opportunities to use their skills. They are also largely invisible in national budget planning. The research, conducted in Accra, identified four critical barriers. These include leadership and inclusion gaps, funding and budget barriers, overemphasis on training without application, and inadequate infrastructure and accessibility.
This situation fits into a broader economic story in Ghana. Efforts to promote inclusive development have faced challenges. Previous reports have shown that persons with disabilities often struggle to find meaningful employment. In 2023, the Ghana Statistical Service reported high unemployment rates among vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities. The current push for direct participation aims to address these persistent inequalities and ensure development reaches all citizens.
"The findings elevate the voices of young persons with disabilities and reaffirm a simple truth: policies and programmes are more effective when shaped by their lived experiences," stated the research presenter. The project is a collaboration between FHL Group Africa and Community Desk International (CDI).
The "Amplifying Voices" project, launched in 2025, aims to shift disability inclusion from tokenistic consultation to built-in, rights-based participation. A key proposal is a direct funding card system, like an ATM card. This would allow transparent, direct disbursement of financial support. It aims to promote genuine independence for beneficiaries. Further phases will focus on policy dialogue and engagement with public and private sectors.
The project collected data through qualitative research methods. Participants included stakeholders, research participants, and development partners. The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) has welcomed the research. They see it as an evidence base for stronger advocacy with funders. Kwasi Manu, Co-Founder of CDI, emphasized that evidence must translate into binding action. The initiative plans to use social media to engage more young persons with disabilities and strengthen monitoring systems with clear accountability indicators.
The project organisers noted that similar initiatives in other countries have shown success in empowering marginalized groups. Ghana's Ministry of Finance is a key target for advocacy regarding budget priorities. The research stresses the need to move beyond theoretical inclusion. It calls for practical, rights-based approaches that empower individuals directly.
The direct funding card proposal is particularly noteworthy. It addresses concerns about funds being lost or misused by intermediaries. This aims to ensure that financial support directly benefits those it is intended for. The project's next steps include policy dialogues and sharing findings widely.
The research highlights that intentional design is crucial for inclusion. Institutions must build in accessibility from the start. This goes beyond just making spaces physically accessible. It includes ensuring communication methods and decision-making processes are inclusive. The project aims to create a model for effective disability inclusion in Ghana.