The Department of Social Welfare in the Volta Region has called for a fundamental shift in societal attitudes towards persons living with disabilities, urging the public to embrace inclusion, dignity and opportunity rather than pity.

The Volta Regional Director of Social Welfare, Stella Mawusi Agbezuhlor Mawutor, made the appeal at a colourful and emotionally charged event dubbed “Night to Shine”, held at the House of Love Christian Centre in Ho.

The programme, organised by the church and sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, aimed to promote the well-being of persons with disabilities while celebrating their unique gifts and contributions to society.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event, Madam Mawutor emphasised that persons with special needs must not be reduced to objects of sympathy.

“This programme is a unique programme, very special because we have seen collaboration between the private sector and state institutions to make sure we identify persons with special needs, persons with disabilities, and collaborate with them to join hands and promote their wellbeing, celebrate them and make people understand that they are not objects of pity. They are not to be pitied, ignored or shunned because they are made special,” she stated.

She stressed that what people with disabilities need is support and opportunity, not segregation or condescension.

According to her, many individuals living with disabilities have excelled in various sectors when given the right encouragement and backing.

“From my studies, I have identified that there are people living with disabilities who have achieved great things in society because society has identified their abilities. Parents supported them; they did not shun them. Families joined hands and identified their unique potential. We want the whole world to join hands and let us identify their potential and what we can all do together to support rather than seeing them as different,” she added.

The Head Pastor of the House of Love Christian Centre, Rev. Dr Lovelace Tetteh, said the initiative was inspired by a desire to demonstrate unconditional love and restore hope to children and adults living with disabilities.

“We want to express our love to everybody, physically strong and physically challenged. Some parents do not bring them out. They feel it is a shame or disgrace to bring them out, so they always keep them indoors. But we want to show love to these children so they can feel they belong to society and also make them aware that they have hope,” Rev. Tetteh stated.

The atmosphere at the event was filled with joy, music and dancing, with participants treated like royalty through red-carpet entries and the presentation of crowns, symbolising dignity, worth and acceptance.

The programme, the first of its kind in the Volta Region, forms part of a nationwide initiative sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. It was held in 11 of the 16 regions of Ghana, reinforcing a growing national conversation on inclusion, respect and equal opportunity for persons with disabilities.