GFD holds ‘We Can Work’ Inception meetings in Accra and Koforidua

The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) held an inception meeting on April 16, and April 18, 2024, in Koforidua and Accra, to introduce the “We Can Work” programme for the 2024 pilot year. The meeting was held with key stakeholders, like Entrepreneurship Services Organisations, Religious and Traditional leaders, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities etc.

The We Can Work program will improve access to dignified and fulfilling work for  young women and men with disabilities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal over a period of eight years (2023 – 2030). In each country, teams of Disability Inclusion Advisors and Facilitators will support the development of Mastercard Foundation internal and partner capacity to mainstream disability in all Young Africa Works programs.

The program will further deploy targeted skills building and entrepreneurship support interventions for young women and men with disabilities to successfully transition to work. We Can Work is instrumental in realizing the ambitions of Mastercard Foundation in relation to Disability Inclusion.

Partners and Stakeholders

We Can Work is implemented in a consortium led by Light for the World, a disability and development organization with over 30 years of experience in disability and livelihoods in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The African Disability Forum (ADF), a key implementing partner, is a membership organization of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in Africa. Seven National OPDs in Ethiopia (Federation of Ethiopian Associations of Persons with Disabilities), Kenya (United Disabled Persons of Kenya), Uganda (National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda), Rwanda (National Union of Disability Organizations of Rwanda), Ghana (Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations), Nigeria (Joint National Association of Persons with Disability), and Senegal (Fédération Sénégalaise des Associations de Personnes Handicapées) are key implementing partners both individually and through their membership to the ADF. A technical partner – Crosswise Works, also provides support on business development services through Entrepreneurship Support Organizations located in the seven countries. Other key program stakeholders are Mastercard Foundation country teams in each of the 7 countries, Government bodies, OPDs structures, Young Africa Works partners, National Business and Disability Networks, Employer Organisations, private sector actors and disability expert organizations.  

Changing systems and minds

The program is based on four outcomes that will equip young people with disabilities with leadership skills, support new and existing Young Africa Works programs on becoming more disability inclusive, and directly provide skills training to the most marginal young women and men with disabilities.

At the foundation of We Can Work are young women and men with disabilities, who will be the drivers of change, contributing to all outcomes. The program will roll out the Disability Inclusion Facilitator (DIF) approach, where young women and men with disabilities lead the change process towards a more inclusive society. Targeted communication activities geared towards cultivating self-advocacy and the invaluable life experience that DIFs bring, is an effective way to change mindsets and convey the importance of disability inclusion.