Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has called for a more inclusive society that supports individuals living with disabilities. He emphasized that disability can affect anyone, regardless of wealth or education.
Speaking at the inaugural Disability Conversation organized by the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation, Kufuor reflected on his own experience, sharing how unforeseen circumstances have led him to rely on a wheelchair.
“Look at me today,” Kufuor remarked. “If someone had told me ten years ago that I would be in a wheelchair, I might not have believed them, but here I am, unable to walk and needing several people to help me move around.”
He called for greater acceptance and integration of people with disabilities, stressing the need to embrace diversity and tolerance.
“We cannot afford to leave any segment of society behind,” Kufuor urged. “We must appreciate our differences, understand individual challenges, and work towards integrating everyone as part of the human race.”
Kufuor also highlighted the importance of the Disability Act in building a society where all individuals, including those with disabilities, feel safe, valued, and protected.
Former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko echoed this sentiment, suggesting that public facilities inaccessible to persons with disabilities should not be certified.
“I don’t understand how an engineer can approve a building or road that doesn’t comply with specific codes,” Agyarko said. “Disability is a universal condition that affects everyone in different forms. Recognizing this will help us plan better for current and future needs.”
At the event, individuals with disabilities who have excelled in their fields shared their experiences, emphasizing that they should be recognized for their abilities, not pitied.