GFD Urged to Intensify Advocacy for Inclusion of Special Needs Parents in Policy Making.

Accra: Parents of children with disabilities in Ghana face discrimination, exclusion, abuse, and stigma, similar to the challenges encountered by persons with disabilities. Mrs. Hannah Awadzi, Executive Director of the Special Mothers Project, has called on the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) to enhance its advocacy efforts for the inclusion of special needs parents in policy and law-making processes. Her appeal was made during a workshop organized by the GFD aimed at strengthening the advocacy committee's capacity concerning the National Development Planning Commission's (NDPC) four-year development plan.According to Ghana News Agency, the workshop examined the alignment of the NDPC's development plan with disability inclusion goals, the Inclusive Education Policy, and other relevant issues. Mrs. Awadzi highlighted the absence of policies supporting parents of children with disabilities in Ghana, stressing that the well-being of these parents is intrinsically linked to that of their chil dren with disabilities. She pointed out that parents experience exclusion, discrimination, stigma, and abuse due to their children, yet there are no policies to protect them. She emphasized that "special needs parents are indirectly disabled."Mr. Porekuu Peter Francis Xavier, Principal Planning Analyst at the NDPC, guided participants through the development planning process and advised the GFD to integrate their issues into the development process from the grassroots level, starting with the District Assemblies. He noted that the NDPC prioritizes human capital development strategies focusing on investing in people. The development planning process encourages special interest groups to present their needs to district assemblies and nominate representatives for planning committees.Mr. Abdul Wahab Adams, Programme Officer at the GFD, stated that the organization is transitioning towards results-based advocacy and urged advocacy committee members to enhance their capacity in this regard.