“The effect of the pandemic on vulnerable populations such as persons living with disabilities, is even more devastating due to the peculiarities of the impairments they present and the already existing inequities in accessing services,” the Deputy Representative of UNFPA Ghana, Dr. Agnes Ntibanyurwa said at a donation exercise to the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD) on 17th June, 2020.
As part of its mandate to leave no one behind, UNFPA organized an outreach at the Accra Rehabilitation Centre to educate persons living with disabilities (PWDs) on the prevention of COVID-19 as well as sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and provide family planning information. The activity also served to donate to GFD, some 700 dignity kits containing hand sanitizers, face masks, sanitary pads and soap to mention just a few.
In handing over the dignity kits to GFD, the Deputy Representative of UNFPA Ghana emphasized that the agency remains committed to supporting Government through innovative means to continue to reach vulnerable populations including PWDs, with essential social services and vital information. According to Dr Ntibanyurwa, UNFPA will continue to advocate for the prioritization of the provision of essential health care services, including reproductive health (family planning) services to all persons who need it, even during the pandemic.
The Executive Director of GFD, Rita Kyeremeh Kusi, who received the dignity kits on behalf of the organisation, expressed her appreciation to UNFPA for the kind gesture. She also commended UNFPA for their constant support to the Federation all in the bid to improving the lives of PWDs in Ghana.
The outreach featured an in-depth sensitization on COVID-19 prevention, family planning and SGBV. PWDs present took advantage of the platform provided to seek clarification on issues surrounding COVID-19 and family planning. The Regional Public Nurse of the Greater Accra Region, Comfort Kwegyir-Aggrey, in responding to some questions, called on PWDs to access accurate information on family planning only from health facilities. Madam Aggrey also demonstrated the proper way of handwashing as this remains one of the ways to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The beaming smiles on the faces of the about 60 PWDs at the event was confirmed by George Abelesey, a visually impaired man who said that, “Today’s event has been very successful and very very educative”.
Indeed, providing information is one of the surest ways to flatten the curve of COVID-19 infections. Nonetheless, the means of providing COVID-19 prevention information should be inclusive and leave no one behind.
