The Charismatic Evangelism Ministry (CEM) held a fundraising dinner on Saturday for the Provision of Social Infrastructure for Persons with Disabilities (PWD) project.
Dubbed “The CEM Ability Village”, estimated at around $390 million, the project would be built on 500 acres of land at Agortor in the Shai Osudoku district of the Greater Accra region.
The project, which is due to start in October, would provide a model of support for people with disabilities in the areas of health and social services, education and training and other activities to strengthen their economic activities.
According to the Executive Director of the CEM Ability Village project, Reverend Grace Akrofi (Mrs), the health facility would have a state-of-the-art hospital to provide mental health, social care, advocacy, counselling, information and awareness across the country. as well as social development facilities.
With regard to education, she said that a vocational education and training (VET) institution would offer training courses in the fields of ICT, fashion and design, electricity and technology. electronics, web development, cosmetology and hairdressing, carpentry, food and beverage management, automotive maintenance, photography and learning. equipping residents with employable skills.
Ms. Akrofi explained that the third model involved business grants, financial support and a technology center for software development and other creative opportunities.
The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia who was the special guest commended the church for this bold step which would put smiles on the faces of people with disabilities.
“Supporting the CEM Skills Village would enable people with disabilities to fully participate in all facets of society across the country and I can say with confidence that this Skills Village is the culmination of all good works. Reverend Steve Mensah has been doing them for so long that’s why we are all gathered here to support this worthy initiative.”
According to him, the support would eliminate this communication barrier and other negative consequences that suppress people with disabilities such as social exclusion, physical and mental challenges, discrimination, stigma, lack of self-esteem and difficulties. financial.
Alhaji Dr Bawumia said that people with disabilities were more likely to face increased hardship and economic challenges if the government had not stepped in with the disability fund which had helped reduce the barriers that hinder the full participation of people. People with Disabilities.
“The government would join forces with other stakeholders to tackle the various challenges head-on, as we all need to work harder to remove all the obstacles facing our brothers and sisters,” he added.
He promised to adopt measures to create more inclusive communities to support people with disabilities.
CEM Village Board Chairman Reverend Dr Steve Mensah said it was very difficult for people to understand and appreciate the plight of disabled people and the enormity of making the poor happy.
According to him, most of them slept on cardboard boxes, lived in unsanitary conditions in their dwellings without detergents due to dire poverty, while those with special needs had talents that could be unearthed for development. national.
“People with disabilities do not crave pity, they want to be treated as human beings with equal opportunities to be able to integrate into society, because they are talented as such should not be deprived of the right to health, education, livelihoods, participation and inclusion,” he said.
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