Ms Beatrice Akua Mahmood, Project Co-ordinator of Ghana Federation of Disability (GFD) Organisations gave the advice when she was addressing a day’s regional workshop on resource mobilisation and operational framework for the members of Brong-Ahafo Regional RDN in Sunyani. 

The programme, sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development, which funded the 10 RDNs nationwide was among other objectives to further strengthen the Brong-Ahafo RDN for members to be more dedicated towards the cause of PWDs.

It was organised by the Brong-Ahafo Regional Secretariat of GFD and attended by members of the RDN including the representatives of Commission on Human Rights  and Administrative Justice, the National Commission on Civic Education, local non-governmental organisations, Department of Gender  and the Media.

Ms Mahmood said the Network could monitor the use of the three per cent disability allocation or share from the District Assembly Common Fund and the implementation of the Disability Act 2006, Act 715 and mainstream disability agenda into national development.

She urged the RDNs to take advantage of the “Expanding Participation for PWDs Activities” project to operate effectively to enhance the lot of PWDs in the country.  Ms Mahmood said the project spanning two years from February 2016-February 2018 sought to build the capacity of the GFD and its member organisations to be on a stronger pedestal to better advocate on disability issues.

The vision of the RDN: “Is to have an inclusive society for all categories of PWDs,” and its mission “is to support the disability movements to advocate the fundamental human rights of PWDs and formulate proposals to promote inclusive society for all PWDs within the regions”.

Membership of the RDNs is opened to all – organisations and institutions that exist to promote the human rights of PWDs and those that support disability rights organisations and advocacy.The activities of the RDNs among others are “to increase the knowledge of the public on disability issues towards an inclusive society through sensitisation”, “to engage decision-makers and other relevant stakeholders for the purpose of mainstreaming disability issues into regional and national development issues” and “to synergise efforts of members”.

It also exists “to update the regional GFD Secretariat on activities and programmes pursued in the region” and “to develop an annual, half-year and quarterly action plans and circulate to network members and the regional secretariat”.