The founder and general overseer of the Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry (CEM), Dr Steve Mensah, is soliciting over $389, 380, 400 to support the construction of a project known as the 'CEM Ability Village.'

The facility, which will be built on a 2000-acre tract of land at Ningo in the Greater Accra Region, seeks to house more than 69,000 persons who are physically challenged in Ghana.

As a result, the overseer, together with his ministry executives, has launched a campaign dubbed '10 for Ability' to generate funds in support of the construction.

Speaking in an interview on Joy Prime’s morning show, Rev Dr Steve Mensah explained his reason for the project.

"When I became born again and I went into the school of ministry, I decided to do rural evangelism, where we go to very remote places, and I realised that whenever we went there, we encountered a lot of very poor people, especially very poor disabled people."

"With the Ability Village Project, we gave them priority entrance, and we could see a lot of these disabled people coming in, and if you saw a disabled person in the village, the images are too bad. So, we give them clothes and things, and sometimes the person is crawling on his hands and knees and can’t carry the items, so we carried the items and followed him or her to their homes, and the kind of homes some of them sleep in, even a dog will not sleep there… So that was when I conceived the idea that I want to build a home for these people," he narrated.

According to the general overseer, the initiative will serve as a permanent home for the majority of homeless and physically challenged people in society.

He further explained that the '10 for Ability' campaign seeks to encourage individuals to donate GH10 or more every month for 12 months and play a significant role in transforming the lives of persons with disabilities in society.

Asked how the campaign came about, he said, "We did a crusade at Keta and Anloga, and we decided that there are a lot of well-meaning Ghanaians across the world who would like to contribute to this project. So, we decided that 1 million people should just give $10, GH₵‎10, ¥10, €10… to support this project, and suddenly, it’s trying to catch on."

Rev. Steve Mensah has therefore called on individuals who may not be members of his ministry to support the initiative by donating any amount. Interested persons are urged to send their donations by dialling the short code *800*404# on all networks, via the Momo number, +233 597 433 938 (Merchant ID: 923709), or visiting the website www.cemabilityvillage.org/donate.

The 10 for Ability campaign aims to create awareness and generate support for the CEM Ability Village project. By donating, individuals can play a significant role in transforming the lives of people with disabilities, empowering communities, and creating a more inclusive society.

As part of the vision of his charity organisation, CEM Ability Village, the initiative aims to create a comfortable life for persons with disabilities by making them enjoy full rights, feel included, and play active roles in all facets of society.

With an estimated cost of $389,380,400, the project seeks to provide over 9,000 accessible and affordable housing units, accommodating more than 69,000 families. The first phase, costing US$85.3 million on a 500-acre, will kick-start in July, 2023.

The CEM Ability Village groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 24, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Agortor-Kope, Ningo Prampam District. The ceremony marks a significant milestone in addressing the challenges faced by people with disabilities in Ghana.

The event features the Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, as Special Guest of Honour, and the Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Lariba Zuweira Abudu. Other notable attendees include representatives from persons with disabilities organisations, ministers of state and Members of Parliament, Foreign Missions, chiefs, religious leaders, representatives from donor communities, and civil society groups.

Below are the project’s key areas of focus:

"Accessible and Affordable Housing Units: CEM Ability Village aims to provide over 9,000 accessible and affordable housing units, accommodating more than 69,000 families. This initiative ensures independence and dignity for people with disabilities.

Quality Inclusive Education: The village will offer inclusive education for over 10,000 children with disabilities, providing individualised support and assistance to help them reach their full potential.

Accessible Health and Social Care: A world-class specialist hospital with 100 beds will be established, equipped with specialised care for persons with disabilities. The hospital will offer services such as physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Inclusive Employment: Industrial hubs within the village will create employment opportunities for persons with disabilities, fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

The Technology Hub: The Technology Hub aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to the opportunities offered by the rapidly evolving technology industry. This cutting-edge facility will provide relevant technology skills training in programming, robotics, and other emerging fields to individuals with disabilities.

Vocational Education and Training: Skilled instructors and industry professionals will provide hands-on training and mentorship to the residents. Residents will learn practical skills, acquire industry-recognised certifications, and gain valuable work experience through internships and apprenticeships.

Inclusive Agriculture: The village will establish a state-of-the-art agricultural programme, offering the latest technology and equipment to empower people with disabilities in the agricultural sector.

Watch the full interview with the general overseer who shared his journey into ministry and the secrets behind the initiative.

https://youtu.be/BaaJuT_zrn0