The appeal was made at the Inclusive National Service Employers’ Forum, organised by the British Council in collaboration with National Service Authority (NSA), Sightsavers, the Ghana Federation of Disability (GFD) and IOT to promote disability-inclusive employment and national service opportunities for young graduates.

Speaking at the forum, Mr Nii Doodo Doodo, Country Director of the British Council Ghana, said talent was universal but opportunities were not always equally accessible, stressing the need to remove barriers that prevented young people with disabilities from reaching their full potential.

“The theme of today’s forum is both simple and powerful. It reminds us to look beyond disability and focus instead on capability, potential, creativity and contribution,” he said.

Mr Doodo noted that despite their qualifications, skills and determination, many persons with disabilities continued to face challenges in accessing meaningful employment opportunities.

He said creating avenues for PWDs to succeed would not only benefit individuals but would also make organisations stronger, more innovative and representative of the societies they served.

Mr Doodo reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to promoting disability-inclusive skills development and employability.

He highlighted initiatives such as the Digital Innovation and Vocational Employability Plus (DIVE+) Programme, which equips young people with digital, employability and entrepreneurship skills while ensuring the inclusion of persons with disabilities.

Mr Doodo also mentioned the British Council’s Mentorship and Coaching Academy (MCA), which connects young people with experienced professionals and prioritises persons with disabilities in providing mentorship, coaching, networking opportunities and career guidance.

“Developing skills is only one part of the journey. We must also create the pathways, networks and inclusive workplaces that allow those skills to be recognised and put to use,” he said.

He urged employers to move beyond awareness and commit to providing real placement opportunities for young persons with disabilities, describing inclusion as both a social responsibility and a strategic advantage.

Madam Rebecca Nunoo, Senior Disability Inclusion Advisor at the GFD, said persons with disabilities were dependable and reliable employees whose contributions often remained underutilised.

She noted that many PWDs were diligent and committed to their duties because they appreciated the value of employment and understood the challenges associated with securing another opportunity if they lost their jobs. According to her, persons with disabilities often contribute positively to staff morale and bring strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities to the workplace.

She added that employing persons with disabilities also helped colleagues build stronger relationships and gain a better understanding of disability issues, thereby changing perceptions and promoting inclusion.

Dr Elizabeth Zotorvie, Director of Policy Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at the NSA, reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to fairness and equal participation for all persons.

She said the NSA was working to ensure accessible national service placements for persons with disabilities and encouraged qualified graduates to apply for national service opportunities.

Dr Zotorvie further appealed to employers to recruit more persons living with disabilities and provide enabling environments where they could demonstrate their capabilities and develop their competencies.

Participants at the forum called for stronger collaboration among employers, government institutions, development partners and disability organisations to create sustainable pathways to employment and ensure that the skills and talents of persons with disabilities were fully recognised and utilised.

The forum forms part of broader efforts to promote disability inclusion and enhance access to employment opportunities for young persons with disabilities across the country.