The African Disability Policy Advocates (ADPA) and the Okere District Assembly have launched a groundbreaking livestock empowerment programme that will train 50 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the district.
The initiative, a first of its kind in the area, aims to provide sustainable livelihoods, food security, and long-term empowerment for the vulnerable group. The programme will also promote inclusive local governance.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on September 12, 2025, at Adukrom-Akuapem to formalise the partnership.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Member of Parliament for Okere, Hon. Daniel Nana Addo-Kenneth, expressed his excitement and pledged his full support.
“This programme is a true investment in human dignity,” he said. “I am hopeful that after two years, it will be scaled up and institutionalised as a permanent district initiative.”
The MoU was signed by ADPA’s Director of International Diplomacy and Policy, Hon. Jeff Tetteh Kavianu, and was also signed by the MP, Hon. Daniel Nana Addo Kenneth and the District Chief Executive, Hon. Eric William Ayitey.
Under the agreement, ADPA will provide technical assistance, training, and resources. In return, the Assembly has committed to integrating disability rights into its district policies, budgets, and programmes. The Assembly will also establish a Disability Desk to champion advocacy and service delivery.
The President of the local Disability Association described the programme as a “timely lifeline for persons with disabilities who too often remain excluded from mainstream development opportunities.”
Traditional leaders, social workers, and district executives who were present at the event thanked ADPA for choosing Okere as a model district. The initiative is part of ADPA’s wider programme aimed at ensuring PWDs are included in agriculture, green jobs, and climate action.
The people of Okere are now looking forward to a future where disability inclusion is not just a promise but a permanent pillar of community development.