In a bid to foster economic independence and social inclusion, the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFDO) is embarking on a ground-breaking agricultural project tailored for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Upper East Region.
The initiative, dubbed “Ability Farms,” aims to transform the lives of PWDs by equipping them with the necessary tools and resources to thrive in the agricultural sector.
To garner governmental support, a delegation from GFDO recently met with the Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Akamugri Donatus Atanga, to present their vision and request assistance.
Led by the federation’s local president, David Aniya, the delegation congratulated Hon. Akamugri on his appointment as the President’s representative in the region.
During the meeting, Aniya highlighted the federation’s new “Ability Farms” initiative, a collaboration with Tractors for Africa designed to promote sustainable livelihoods for PWDs.
The initiative, which has already secured 120 acres of land, seeks to equip PWDs with resources to engage in large-scale farming.
Tractors for Africa will supply fertilizers, seeds, and critical market linkages to ensure farmers can sell their produce effectively.
Under the program’s model, harvests will be shared between participating farmers and Tractors for Africa, incentivizing productivity.
Aniya emphasized the project’s potential to scale, stating, “If implemented successfully, this program will expand to include more members of the disability community.”
However, he noted a pressing challenge: the lack of funds to clear the acquired land.
The federation formally requested a bulldozer from the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) to prepare the farmland for cultivation.
In response, Hon. Akamugri commended Tractors for Africa for supporting vulnerable groups and urged the organization to explore providing a combined harvester to streamline post-harvest processes.
He also directed RCC officials to address the bulldozer request.
The minister praised the initiative as a critical step toward inclusivity.
Source: www.kumasimail.com/Joseph Ziem
