25 Persons with Disabilities Trained in Agri-Tech to Boost Businesses in Ghana

Twenty-five Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Ghana's agriculture sector have completed a training program aimed at strengthening their businesses and promoting greater inclusion through agricultural technology. The initiative was organized by the EmpowerAbility Organisation in partnership with the E4Impact Entrepreneurship Centre, Ghana, with support from Vert Tower.

The one-day training session, held at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, equipped participants with essential skills. They learned to develop a business model canvas, a crucial one-page document outlining business operations, and gained insights into the agricultural value chain and its associated opportunities. The program, themed 'Agri-Tech without Borders,' attracted participants from across the country.

Joseph Lawrence Hammond, Executive Director of EmpowerAbility Organisation, emphasized the need to empower PWDs to become Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of their own enterprises. He stated that while financial grants are helpful, they are insufficient for long-term business sustainability. Hammond stressed the importance of digital and technical skills for building and managing viable businesses, urging PWDs to move beyond a "charitable model" and become self-reliant.

The organization plans to connect participants to local and international markets by promoting their businesses online. They will also assist participants in obtaining necessary certifications through collaboration with regulatory agencies like the Ghana Standards Authority and the Food and Drugs Authority. EmpowerAbility will track the progress of these businesses for three months. Hammond also called on the government to expedite the amendment of the Disability Act to better reflect the digital landscape and enhance inclusion.

Ishmael Genyah from the National Council on Persons with Disabilities acknowledged the systemic barriers faced by PWDs in various sectors, including agriculture. He expressed optimism that the PWDs Bill, currently before the Cabinet, will address these barriers upon approval. Jennifer Oppong-Danquah of Vert Tower highlighted the program's role in equipping participants with skills for home-based food production, even without land ownership, and called for increased investment in PWDs to foster national development.

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Most of PWDs focus on the charitable model, but we are saying that we want you to be your own CEO. It is not about going for money and support from organisations.