People with physical disability in Ghana face significant inequities, including poverty, inadequate access to healthcare and high unemployment rates, receive limited educational opportunities and skill development due to insufficient investment in their educational needs and stigmatization in schools.

Despite the national policies and efforts of advocacy groups to advance the well-being of people living with disabilities in Ghana, they still face stigma, which stems from a lack of understanding about disability, societal attitudes, misconceptions and cultural beliefs. This stigma contributes to the marginalization and exclusion of this group from fully participating in Ghanaian society, resulting in socio-economic challenges.

The Ghana Statistical Service reports from the 2021 census indicate that approximately eight percent (2,098,138 individuals) of the Ghanaian population experience some form of disability, with a higher prevalence among females (8.8%) than males (6.7%).

Ghana has also committed to various international agreements, including the African Decade of Disabled Persons and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, becoming the 119th country in the world to ratify this convention to protect the rights and dignity of people living with disability.

The Ghana Project on Economic Development for the Disabled (GDEPP)—a signature Global Grant initiative—represents a strategic investment of GH¢537,781.34 ($48,867.00) toward the empowerment of over 80 individuals across various regions of Ghana. Beyond capital, the project leverages the professional expertise of Rotarians and volunteers, who will provide 200+ hours of specialized training in financial literacy, digital marketing, and entrepreneurship to develop opportunities for productive work and improving access to sustainable livelihoods. To ensure physical and economic mobility, the project will donate 50 wheelchairs and establish a dedicated maintenance facility, creating a sustainable and empowering ecosystem of support for the physically disabled;

Participating Organizations

Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled (GSPD)
The GSPD is a key organization in Ghana dedicated to advancing the rights and welfare of individuals with physical disabilities. It is a founding member and a crucial part of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD), the national umbrella body for various disability groups in Ghana. They actively engage in advocacy, aiming to influence policy and legislation that promote the inclusion and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities. Their work often involves raising public awareness about disability issues, challenging discrimination, and striving for an accessible and equitable society. They also focus on programs related to rehabilitation, education, and economic empowerment for their members, addressing the specific needs of physically disabled individuals in Ghana.

Read more about GSPD here: http://www.gspdnational.org/

Wheels for Change, Inc.
Wheels for Change, Inc., founded by Paralympian Daniel Romanchuk, is a nonprofit organization focused on shifting societal perspectives about disability through the powerful platform of wheelchair racing. Recognizing both the sport’s transformative potential and the challenges in accessing adaptive sports, Romanchuk’s organization provides crucial support for aspiring wheelchair athletes by offering equipment, training resources, and mentorship. Domestically, Wheels for Change aids athletes through clinics, camps, and an equipment loan program. Internationally, it collaborates with communities, such as a program in Ghana, to supply racing equipment and create accessibility pathways.

The organization’s goal is to foster a more inclusive world by showcasing the athleticism, resilience, and spirit within the disability community, using racing to challenge stereotypes and inspire change.

Read more about wheels for change here: https://wheels-for-change.org/about/

Project Team

Host Team - Rotary Club of Accra-South
Klenam Fiadzoe - Project Lead - Club President,
Shika Acolatse - Training Coordinator,
Francis Decker - Partnerships lead
Godwin Seshie - Project Coordinator
Alex Amoyaw - President-Elect

International Team - Rotary Club of Mt. Airy
Paul Mahata - Project Manager
Richard Wilcher - Technical Coordinator - Past President
Mary Jo Burkett - Project coordinator

Advisory Committee

Pauline Simmons - International/Host liaison
Dr. Kuhu Maitra - Training advisor
Jennifer Zimmer - Technical Advisor 
Kim Romanchuk - Technical Advisor 
Raphael Botsyo - GSPD Representative
Emmanuel Laryea - Technical Advisor

Partner Rotary Clubs

This project is made possible with the partnership of Rotary Clubs of
Rotary Club of Accra-South
Rotary Club of Mt. Airy
Rotary Club of Washington DC
Rotary Club of Charlotte Hall
Rotary Club of Baltimore
Rotary Club of Southern Frederick County (Urbana)
Rotary Club of New Market
Rotary Club of Sykesville
Rotary Club of Pikesville - Owings Mills
Rotary Districts 9104
Rotary District 7620.