Irene Naa Torshie Addo addressing the gathering
Former Member of Parliament for Tema West and founder of the Reneaddo Foundation, Irene Naa Torshie Addo, has renewed calls for a more disability-inclusive Ghana, urging greater national collaboration to promote access, empowerment and dignity for persons with disabilities.
The call was made at the 10th anniversary celebration of the Day of Help initiative, organized by the Charismatic Evangelistic Ministry (CEM) in partnership with the Reneaddo Foundation.
The event, held at Essikado (Wise) Park in Sekondi-Takoradi, brought together government officials, traditional leaders, faith communities, disability organizations, and corporate partners to mark a decade of support for persons with disabilities.
In her address, Naa Torshie commended CEM’s founder, Rev Dr Steve Mensah, for his vision and consistency in promoting disability inclusion through the Day of Help programme.
She noted that the initiative had provided practical assistance, skills development, and advocacy for thousands of Ghanaians with disabilities over the past ten years.
Reflecting on her own public service journey, Naa Torshie said her work—from Parliament to her leadership at the Reneaddo Foundation—has been guided by a commitment to improving the welfare of vulnerable groups.
She announced plans by the Foundation to establish a vocational and training institute at the CEM Ability Village, intended to provide employable skills and entrepreneurial support to persons with disabilities.
She also acknowledged efforts by successive governments to improve access and inclusion, citing policy interventions such as the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disabilities introduced under President John Dramani Mahama, describing it as a “progressive and equitable step toward social justice.”
Other speakers at the event underscored the need for stronger partnerships between faith-based organizations, government institutions and the private sector to create sustainable opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Rev Dr Steve Mensah reaffirmed CEM’s commitment to long-term empowerment, saying, “The Ability Village is not a place of refuge; it is a place of renewal. Our goal is to create an environment where ability, not limitation, defines the future.”
The event concluded with a renewed pledge by both the CEM and the Reneaddo Foundation to continue advancing inclusion and empowerment for all, emphasizing that building a disability-friendly Ghana requires shared responsibility and sustained action.
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