The fundraising gala organized by Ghana Impact Project (GIP), a United States (US) based Ghanaian nonprofit that happened at River Creek Club in Leesburg, Virginia (VA) successfully raised enough money to be able to provide prosthetics for 26 physically challenged children in Ghana. The money realized would be used purely for other nonprofit purposes including disability advocacy, according to GIP.

President of GIP Kobby Okum said he is "highly overwhelmed by the out-pour of love and support through donations and pledges made by attendees at the fundraiser". The event which was an inaugural was organized to celebrate with and help give the gift of mobility to physically challenged children in Ghana said Mr. Okum.

Aptly themed Gift of Mobility Gala, the event held on April 14, 2023, was attended by close to a hundred people for its special Guest Speaker Her Excellency (HE) Alima Mahama, Ghana’s Ambassador to the US. Other notable guests included Mr. Tim Adams - Mayor of Bowie, Maryland, Honourable Sheila Tillerson Adams - Retired Chief Justice of Prince William County, Madam Phyllis Randall - Chair of Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, and Mr. Bob McCollar - International Business Development Manager of Economic Development and Jennifer Mensah Bonzie, founder of Vigilo Foundation, a nonprofit focused on disability advocacy, and event emcee Carolyn Howell.

The Ambassador's speech which was read by her representative - Ninette Danquah Ivo, Minister in charge of Economic and Diaspora Affairs at the Embassy of Ghana in Washington DC, acknowledged GIP for its benevolent work despite its few years in existence.

The Ambassador shed some light on the state of persons living with disability in Ghana and what the government is doing to better their lot as far as laws, rights, and amenities are concerned.

Ambassador Alima Mahama indicated that the Government of Ghana has since 2006 through the Disability Act 715 put in place what any country should do to alleviate the plight of the disabled child in Ghana. But though the Government is doing all this, it is unable to shoulder all these projects on its own, hence the need for such fundraisers by well-meaning people and organizations like GIP to assist the government in its efforts.

"It is my hope that this year’s fundraiser will be the start of many such events as a true testament to your endearing way of contributing to efforts being made back at home to attain the desired transformative growth in Ghana with all hands on deck," the Ambassador said. She added that "I would therefore like to encourage all who are gathered here tonight to spread the good news of the Ghana Impact Project and contribute ungrudgingly to the attainment of the set target for the Project this year and beyond."

On his part Mr. Okum shared that the Ghana Impact project has three main objectives: First to bring resources such as prosthetics to the physically challenged, second, to help curb the stigma surrounding the physically challenged in Ghana, and finally to partner with with the government to prioritize the needs of the physically challenged in Ghana.

Heritage Village was on hand to provide a traditional Ghanaian dance ensemble to entertain the guests while Tracy Hamlin, an American international Recording Artist performed a solo musical tribute that night. More music was also provided by Kane & the Almost Ables.

GIP’s mission is to support groups of largely forgotten physically challenged individuals in Ghana through the provision of much-needed resources (medical, physical, educational, psychological, etc.) as a way of offering them opportunities to integrate into society.

The board members of GIP are Clancy Agbenyo, Tracy Hamlin, Leslie Mills, Eliza Thompson, Jaclyn Gardner, and Michael Adjei. Visit their website at GhanaImpactProject.org to learn more about them and how you can contribute to their efforts.