Ghana Digital Acceleration Project focuses on Persons with Disability

The Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation is prepared to commence a Ghana Digital Acceleration Project from 2023 with support from the World Bank which its main priority would be on Persons with Disability.

This was made known by the sector Minister, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful at a Workshop on Digital Accessibility for Persons with Disability (PWDs) which happened at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT (AITI-KACE).

“I commend the National Council on Persons with Disabilities for partnering the MoCD and providing proposals to accelerate the inclusion of people with disabilities, which have been included in the Ghana Digital Acceleration Project which will be implemented in 2023 with the generous support of the World Bank” she revealed on Wednesday, November 02, 2022.

According to her, when Persons with Disability are given the right skills and provided with assistive technologies, they will be able to take advantage of the available job opportunities to work remotely, conveniently and safely.

“We are working assiduously to promote digital inclusion as we are keenly aware of the benefits it provides to both the individual and the entire country. We will ensure that all citizens benefit equally and equitably from digital skills, products, and services as we are determined to narrow all forms of the digital divide. We are actively working to narrow the gender digital divide and I think women living with disability suffer a double this project provides us an opportunity

“We are establishing a digital Ghana in which all citizens are equipped to contribute meaningfully and the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation, which is tasked with overseeing and coordinating all ICT-related activities or initiatives, has invested in digital infrastructure, which the public and private sectors are leveraging to improve our socio-economic development.”

She added, “Giving the right skills to Persons with disability and providing them with assistive technologies will enable them take advantage of the available job opportunities and even work remotely, conveniently and safely. We will leave no one behind.”

The World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Seirra Leone and Liberia, Pierre Laporte on his part said the workshop falls within the two main goals of the World Bank which he said are; reducing poverty and increasing shared prosperity.

He averred that digital skills are necessary to close the digital divide which impacts the lives and growth of people.

According to him, the digital divide is mostly caused by inadequate digital tools, poor digital skills and lack of inclusion.

He, therefore, called for collective efforts from civil society, academia and citizens to address the situation.
PWDs.