Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has made a strong plea for a more inclusive society, urging Ghanaians to better integrate persons living with disabilities.

Speaking at the inaugural Disability Conversation hosted by the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation, the former president reflected on his personal experience with disability, a reality he never anticipated a decade ago.

Kufuor, now reliant on a wheelchair, shared his perspective, stating, “If someone had said ten years ago that I would be in a wheelchair today, perhaps, he would have been disputed and damned as a false prophet, but this prophecy is the reality today.” He went on to explain how his physical challenges require the assistance of several individuals. “I cannot walk, and I need about four, five, six hefty men to be pushing me around like a baby,” he revealed.

The former president highlighted the importance of embracing diversity and developing a more inclusive mindset towards those with disabilities, emphasising that such an approach benefits society as a whole. “We cannot afford to leave any segment of our society behind,” Kufuor stressed. “We must appreciate our differences and individual challenges, and work towards integrating everyone as an integral part of the human race.”

Kufuor also underscored the significance of Ghana’s Disability Act, urging stakeholders to ensure that individuals with disabilities feel safe, valued, and protected. He called for increased efforts to create a society that accepts and supports people with disabilities.