A local governance venture, designed to project People with Disabilities, (PwDs) as 'well-meaning' agents of development, is impacting five beneficiary local governing areas in the Volta Region.

The local governing areas are, Nkwanta-South Municipal, Nkwanta-North District, Krachi-East Municipal, Akatsi-North and Central Tongu Districts.

The scheme, called “The Stronger Voice Project,” is put together by VOICE-Ghana, a Ho-based disability rights think-tank, with funding from STAR-Ghana.

Mr Charles Valentine Nyante, Programmes Manager, VOICE-Ghana, said the programme was crafted to have a two-prong effect, provide some of the needs of beneficiary local government areas, as well as reduce stigmatization and discrimination against PwDs.

He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the programme allowed PwD Community Self-Help Groups formulate and follow through the implementation of the projects.

Mr Nyante said some of the works selected under the project were a shed for antenatal and postnatal care at Ave-Afiadenyigba in the Akatsi-North District, a six-unit classroom block at Dormabin, in the Krachi-East Municipal Area, development of nature-sceneries for tourists in the Central-Tongu District and water systems in some communities in the Nkwanta-North District.

Mr Francis Asong, Executive Director of VOICE-Ghana, said the project was turning PwDs from reclusive constituents of society to partners, joining hands with others for development.

He said the Project, would broaden the base of decision making in the Assemblies to make projects in the Medium Term Development Plans (MTDPs) better reflect the needs of the people.

Mr Asong said the project had crafted lines of communication between the Assemblies and the PwD groups through disability caucuses and Inclusion Ambassadors, who championed the capacities of People with the PwDs.

The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) is associated with the one-year project, 2017-2018, involving 15 communities, three each from the five beneficiary districts.