Businesses urged to give employment opportunities to PWDs

Mr  Gyimah  Minkah  Andrews, Chief  Executive Officer  of  the  Nana SKB  Foundation, a non- Governmental Organization based in Asokere in the Ashanti Region is encouraging the business community in the country to give employment opportunities to Person with  Disabilities(PWDs) as they have a lot of competencies imbedded in them.

Mr Andrews who is a visually impaired graduate of the University of Ghana pointed out that until the business communities in the country tests the abilities of PWDs, they would not realise what they are missing.

He wants employers to give persons with disabilities a try by employing them in their various organizations and they will never regret such engagement.

He told Public Agenda in an interview recently that there are unmeasurable abilities in Persons with disability, thus employers should provide them with the opportunities to showcase their potentials.

It is believed that employers as well as the general public have limited knowledge on the capacities and capabilities of PWDs, so as a result, they do not give them equal employment opportunities.

Every year, an appreciable number of Persons with Disability (PWDs) graduate from our tertiary institutions with various qualifications. Unfortunately, most of these graduates remain unemployed for various reasons including the limited knowledge of most employers and the public about the capacities and capabilities of PWDs

He stressed that, “the capabilities of Persons with Disability must not be underestimated by employers as we’ve got what it takes to turn things around.”

According to Mr Andrews, “It is about the brain, when your brain is working perfectly, even as a visually impaired, or a physically challenged person, you can be more productive than an abled person.”

Using himself as an example, he said was posted to his current Organization for internship and through hard work, dedication, resilience and can do spirit, he has been elevated to the position of a CEO, adding, “this means that, if persons with disability are given opportunities they can excel.”

He therefore appealed to corporate entities, state and non-state organization to consider employing PWDs in order to experience better productivity.

Mr Andrews acknowledged the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD) and the Board of the Nana SKB   Foundation for the opportunity provided him to showcase his potential.

On his part.  Mr Daniel Baah Appeadu, Deputy CEO of the Nana SKB Foundation also appealed to employers to engage persons with disability… “And I am sure they will come out testifying to the capabilities of person with disabilities as far as their output is concerned.”

By Mohammed Suleman