Joseph Gmakawodom Teboribei, an IT assistant at the University of Ghana, empowers young people with disabilities through digital skills. However, his efforts have been hindered by the theft of his car, which was vital to his work and mobility.

Born in the Northern Region of Ghana, Makawadu’s life took a drastic turn in 1994 during the Guinea-Fowl conflict, which left him permanently disabled.

Despite the challenges, he has devoted his life to empowering others, even spearheading a project to develop software that helps visually-impaired individuals read and interpret images.

“The existing software like NVDA and JAWS can identify an image or chart but doesn’t describe the details. I am working to develop an image description tool to address this gap,” Gmakawodom said.

Gmakawodom’s stolen 2013 Hyundai Elantra was a vital tool for his daily activities, including commuting to work and supporting his independence. Without the car, he now relies on a manual wheelchair, which has severely impacted his schedule and quality of life.

“I work until 5 p.m., but because of traffic and drivers ignoring me to cross the road, I often have to leave the office as late as 8:30 or 9 p.m. It’s exhausting, but I have no choice,” he lamented.

Since the theft of his car in June last year, Gmakawodom has reached out to several government agencies and prominent leaders, including Ghana’s immediate past and current presidents, but his pleas have largely gone unanswered.

Despite the challenges, Gmakawodom remains committed to empowering others. However, without mobility, he struggles to fulfil his duties and is appealing to the public for support in acquiring a new vehicle to regain his independence.

“If I can’t cross the road in time or get to work, I risk losing my job, and students may miss exams. My mobility is the most important thing to me now,” he appealed.