Joshua Makubu
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Vice President of the Republic, has appointed Joshua Makubu as the Campaign Coordinator for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs.
Makubu, who previously served as the Oti Regional Minister, will lead efforts in mobilizing and rallying Ghanaians with special needs to support Dr Bawumia’s vision for the country.
In a statement by Dennis Miracles Aboagye, the Director of Communications for the Bawumia Campaign, it emphasized that Dr Bawumia has been a strong advocate for persons with disabilities, special needs, and the vulnerable in Ghana.
He is dedicated to creating an all-inclusive Ghana that harnesses the energies and talents of all citizens for the development of the country.
One significant achievement of Dr Bawumia’s advocacy for persons with disabilities is the increase in the percentage allocation for “Persons with Disability” under the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) from 2% to 3% since 2017. This has resulted in more funds being allocated to meet their specific needs, ensuring efficient disbursement and accountability.
A total of GHC331,185,775.86 has been disbursed since 2017 to support persons with disabilities across the 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs). This financial support has benefited 59,040 persons, with 52,995 individuals receiving start-up capital amounting to about GHC246,466,603. Furthermore, 6,045 persons with disabilities have received start-up tools and kits such as sewing machines, hairdryers, ovens, shoe-making machines, fridges, and container shops.
The Akufo-Addo government, under Dr Bawumia’s leadership, has made significant investments in providing economic support for persons with disabilities compared to any other government in the Fourth Republic.
Dr Bawumia intends to consolidate and enhance these efforts going into 2025, with the aim of creating sustainable livelihoods and contributing to the overall growth of the economy.
In addition to economic empowerment, Dr Bawumia’s plans include the recruitment of 1,000 special education teachers, retraining teachers on how to work with special needs students, and increasing the number of speech and language therapists, as well as occupational and behavioral therapists.
With the appointment of Joshua Makubu as the Campaign Coordinator for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs, Dr Bawumia’s campaign is set to prioritize the needs and concerns of this marginalized group, promising a more inclusive Ghana that leaves no one behind.
By Vincent Kubi