Henry Djaba Memorial Foundation in partnership with UNFPA has organized the first ever “Ability Fair” for persons with disability in Ghana. The Ability Fair was a groundbreaking and trendsetting event initiated by the Foundation to create an edge for persons with disability to compete, secure market share and earn larger profits with their products, goods and services.
The objectives for the fair, according to the Executive Director of the Henry Djaba Memorial Foundation (HDMF), Dr. Otiko Afisah Djaba was to provide an accessible platform for persons with disability who are manufacturers, entrepreneurs, traders, distributors and service providers to exhibit a wide range of products and services.
She said that, it was also to enable artists and entertainers with disability to engage in live performances in music, dance and poetry; to connect potential customers to suppliers with disability; provide Networking opportunities to reduce stigma and discrimination, and to facilitate the identification of new markets for persons with disability.
The two day’s colourful event saw over 30 exhibitors (individuals and groups) who registered to market items like bead jewelry, bags, slippers, flower vases and tissue boxes; delicious cooked foods, pastries, drinks, kebabs; creative designs of clothes; leather bags and shoes, artifacts and services and many more.
It was under the theme: “Creating business opportunities for persons with disability”. Dr. Otiko Afisah Djaba bemoaned that due to the inadequate awareness and appreciation of the talents and potentials of persons with disability, their products and services had not been adequately marketed or patronized.
She said that persons with disability did not have to be a burden or beggars who have to depend on pity, handouts and alms to survive.
“For these reasons, the Ability Fair is being organized to provide HandUps and not HandOuts to “Create business opportunities for persons with disability” Persons with Disability need recognition of their abilities, inclusion and incomes and not stigma, misconceptions and discrimination to be happy and to live fulfilled lives”.
Dr. Otiko Afisah Djaba noted that out of the 737,743 persons with disability, less than 5% are employed in the formal sector, and the remaining 95% are either in the informal sector [self-employed] or are dependent on family and friends.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Otiko Afisah Djaba indicated that the timing for organization of the Ability Fair was appropriate to reduce or address the challenges occasioned by the global coronavirus pandemic which has also greatly affected the business environment negatively.
“Therefore, Strategic options and innovations are being implemented by individuals, businesses, government and organizations like the Henry Djaba Memorial Foundation and UNFPA to empower the vulnerable to cope and to survive”.
UNFPA supported the Henry Djaba Memorial Foundation to organize the Ability Fair because they both have a mandate to fulfil every young person’s potential.
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