VOICE Ghana, a leading NGOs for People with Disabilities (PwDs), has advised the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and stakeholders to give priority to PwDS during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

The institution explained PwDs are the most vulnerable in society and most marginalized.

“VOICE Ghana joins the disability fraternity globally, particularly in Ghana as well as the international community, to bemoan the challenges and barriers being faced by people with disabilities including people with mental health conditions, especially during this time of COVID-19. We see disability inclusion as very essential for health system planning, development, and decision making in this critical time.”

“For this reason, we call on our government to prioritize the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination for people with disabilities including people with mental health conditions”, it stated.

This was contained in a press release by the group to commemorate the International Day of People with Disabilities under the global theme; “Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.”

VOICE Ghana is also entreating vaccinators to ensure they set up centers at locations that are accessible and user friendly to PwDS, “and where necessary, sign language interpretation arrangements are made, to foster full participation by all categories of the disable.”

It extended an appeal to the PwDs, which includes people with mental health conditions from age 15, and their families and caregivers, to get vaccinated against the coronavirus which is devastating to human health.

The group reiterated a call on stakeholders towards building an all-inclusive society where PwDs are given opportunities to lead and be part of decision-making in their respective societies.

“We also call on the general public, to start using positive non-discriminatory languages for people with disabilities including people with mental health conditions, and to relate with them with dignity and respect”.

“We hereby salute our hardworking farmers and fishermen on this Farmers’ Day, and congratulate award winners at all levels”, the release concluded.

VOICE Ghana established in 2002, is one of Ghana’s leading NGOs for people with disabilities.

The organization has recently transformed into a disability institute and has a mandate of advancing inclusive development and social justice for people with disabilities including people with mental health conditions in Africa, particularly Ghana, through research, policy advocacy, and public consultations.