The Ghana Network of Youth with Disabilities (GNYD) has been officially launched at the Sunlodge Hotel in Accra, marking a major step toward strengthening advocacy, representation, and inclusion for young persons with disabilities across the country.
The event brought together youth leaders, disability advocates, and key stakeholders committed to advancing equal opportunities for young people living with disabilities.
Representing the Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Osman Abdulai Ayariga, Alhaji Inusah Mahama, Deputy CEO for Operations and Programs, attended the ceremony and reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to youth inclusion. He described the Network as a vital platform for integrating disability concerns into national youth development initiatives.
Sightsavers and the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) were also present and expressed strong support for the establishment of the Network. Their representatives emphasized the need for sustained partnerships to advance accessibility, rights advocacy, and opportunities for young persons with disabilities.
Delivering a powerful message, Michael Obeng, President of the GFD Youth Wing, said the rate at which Persons with Disabilities are ignored in national decision-making is alarming.
“We have been invited into the room, but we were not given the microphone. We have been used for statistics and not counted as leaders. But today, the Ghana Network of Youth with Disabilities is going to change the narrative, and we are grateful to the National Youth Authority,” he stated.
As part of the launch, participants engaged in a group work session focused on developing the governance structure of the Ghana Network of Youth with Disabilities, outlining leadership roles, operational frameworks, and long-term strategic priorities for the new body.
Speakers at the event underscored the importance of stronger advocacy, improved accessibility, and full inclusion of young persons with disabilities in education, employment, leadership, and national decision-making.
The establishment of the GNYD is expected to serve as a unified voice for young persons with disabilities and drive coordinated efforts toward building a more inclusive and equitable society.
