Vodafone Ghana Foundation, the charity arm of Vodafone Ghana, has trained 80 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in coding and robotics to commemorate the 2021 International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The event formed part of the Foundation’s monthly ‘Birthday Stars’ initiative, which seeks to execute monthly projects with birthday celebrants to mark selected international days in line with the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vodafone Ghana, Patricia Obo-Nai – who graced the occasion as a December birthday celebrant, highlighted Vodafone’s contribution in empowering individuals with disabilities.
“A few years ago, as an organisation, we chose to employ people who can sign to assist a percentage of our customers who don’t have access to our call centre. I’m very happy with the training session and what I have seen today. This is the first time I have witnessed the game, and we will do everything we can to support you,” she said.
Participants were taken through several activities covering coding, robotic studies and website development. Additionally, December birthday celebrants – Ghanaian comic actors Clemento Surez and OB Amponsah – engaged them in an indoor game, the Paralympic goal ball.
In an interview, the Head of Vodafone Ghana Foundation, Reverend Amaris Nana Perbi said: “We had over 80 different physically challenged people that we had to mentor, groom and teach to be conversant with the PC and technology. We were also able to have recreational time with them, as they represent the national sports activities.
“It is very significant for us to observe the International Month of Disability with our monthly birthday star activities that we do. This doesn’t end here; for instance, in the month of January we are going back again for the International Day of Education and following with February, March and April. In May, Day for Girls Studies and Girls in Science, and then further on International Health Day. So, this is something that has come to stay; and it’s no wonder that we’ve got the Best Initiative and Innovative award at the Excellence Sustainability Awards,” he said.
On her part, the Director in charge of Legal and External Affairs at Vodafone Ghana, Geta Striggner-Quartey, called for a collective effort to assist Persons with Disabilities.
“We were happy to hear that, for instance, the Goal ball is something that we’ve been doing very well at and we just need more support. They need more support so they can compete more effectively in international competitions. So, we were really encouraged by this. We’ll be supporting them, and we really want to reach out to the whole of Ghana to continue supporting them so that they can actually partake in these international events and feel like they’re all part of us.”
The International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed to promote the rights and well-being of people with disabilities at every level of society and development. Additionally, it also aims to raise awareness on the situations of persons with disabilities in all aspects of political, social, economic and cultural life.
