Organisations of Persons with Disabilities Advocate for Inclusive Use of Petroleum Revenues

The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) recently engaged with the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) to discuss challenges faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) in accessing public resources, particularly petroleum revenues.

The meeting, held at the Sunlodge Hotel in Accra, brought together representatives from PIAC and members of GFD. The key objectives were to strengthen collaboration, discuss challenges, and develop strategies to enhance accountability and inclusivity in the management of petroleum revenues.

During the meeting, GFD highlighted several challenges, including inadequate accessibility to public infrastructure, limited representation in decision-making processes, and the need for better allocation of resources to disability programs. The participants collaboratively developed strategies to address these issues, such as implementing more inclusive budgeting processes, enhancing communication channels between PIAC and disability organizations, and advocating for policy changes to improve accessibility.

GFD has expressed frustration over the exclusion of ‘Social Welfare’ from the list of priority areas funded by petroleum revenues, a trend that has persisted since 2011. Joseph Atsu Homadzi, the national president of GFD, emphasized the broader implications of neglecting Social Welfare as a priority area, stating that “If you are a nation and you don’t focus and make deliberate attempts to support vulnerable people, that nation will have a problem in its growth.”

The meeting concluded with a commitment to ongoing collaboration and regular follow-ups to assess progress. Key action items include appointing a representative of GFD on the PIAC committee, involving GFD in all PIAC activities across the country, and providing detailed reports on accessibility issues.

Richard Ellimah, a member of PIAC representing Civil Society Organisations and Community-Based Organisations (CSOs/CBOs), acknowledged that the non-selection of the Social Welfare priority area that caters to the needs of persons with disabilities is a matter of concern, as it reflects a lack of political will to address their critical needs.

The engagement between PIAC and GFD is seen as a positive step towards promoting inclusive use of petroleum revenues for the benefit of all citizens, including persons with disabilities. As the country continues to manage its petroleum resources, it is crucial that the needs and rights of persons with disabilities are prioritized and that they are actively involved in decision-making processes.