Being disabled does not necessarily mean not being able to contribute to the growth of society. Some disabled persons in our midst are doing amazing things; even more than what some abled persons are doing.

The Catholic Association of Media Practitioners – Ghana (CAMP-G) has launched a documentary which showcases the exploits of some of our brothers and sisters whom we regard as disabled. However, some of them are breaking the ice ceiling and doing marvellously well in society.

One of the disabled persons featured in the documentary is Louisa Enyonam Ansah, a woman born without arms who has been working as a teacher, training and inspiring both the abled and the disabled. Enyonam has plots of land; has put up a house and has taken in disabled children to train and inspire them and give them hope. Indeed, she has received awards from the J.A. Kufour government and MTN Ghana for her achievements.

Fr Prince Adelaayitar, Notary, Accra Ecclessiastical Tribunal who performed the launch, noted that he had been impacted greatly by what he saw although he knew the people used in the documentary.  He hoped that the documentary would raise the necessary consciousness of all those who watch it and inspire people to contribute to the development of our brothers and sisters who are challenged physically in one way, or, the other. He encouraged all present to spread the good news about the documentary so as to reach a great an audience as possible.

The President of the Union Catholique Africaine de la Presse (UCAP), that is, the African Catholic Union of the Press, Mr Charles Ayetan, said that the documentary showcased a path of self-acceptance, hope and perseverance. He said that there was a need to promote inclusion and called on everyone to demonstrate support for people living with disabilities. Mr. Ayetan hoped that this initiative would be a source of inspiration to the African Catholic Union of Press and its national chapters.

Dr Affail Monney, President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), lauded CAMP-G’s initiative for highlighting the wonderful things that some of our disabled brothers and sisters are doing in society.  He said that every child of God had a role to play in society and was happy that, although disabled, some persons living with disabilities, had developed their God given talents to help in the development of society. He called on persons living with disabilities not to give up and only wait for hand-outs but work to develop the talents that God had given them and contribute their quota to society.

The President of the Institute of Public Relations, Mr Mawuko Afadzinu, said that he was very touched by what he saw in the documentary. He said that “we, abled people, barely stop to consider what those who have less than what we have, go through or, how they cope with everyday life.” He said that the documentary was an eye-opener and called on everyone to offer the needed support to our brothers and sisters who needed our help.

Madam Gloria Hiadzi, the Executive Secretary of the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA) who spoke on behalf of the President and Executive Council of GIBA, said that “as humans, we each have our unique roles to play in this ecosystem regardless of our physical capabilities or, lack of it. We are, therefore, encouraged and motivated in one way or, the other, to play our various roles to the best of our abilities.”

She said that GIBA was proud of the hard work and efforts of people living with disabilities and was elated to be associated with the celebration of the achievements of PWDs. She encouraged them never to give up, but rather keep on striving for the best that they could contribute to the society we live in.

The Chairperson of the Council of Catholic Professionals Guilds, Professor Onike Rodriques, said that there is perhaps, no better way of showcasing love for neighbour than by reaching out to people living with disabilities.  She said that it was heartening to see the people in the documentary not just sitting down for hand-outs from others, but were making life worth living for themselves as well as for others.

Louisa Enyonam Ansah, who spoke on behalf of the other disabled persons who were featured in the documentary, thanked CAMP-G for showcasing their exploits to the world.  Speaking about her project, she said that her aim of taking in disabled children was to train them and help them also contribute their quota to society.  She said that she had 13 children with various types of disabilities under her watch, currently, and appealed for support to train and give hope to these young ones.

The President of the Catholic Association of Media Practitioners (CAMP-G), Mrs Victoria Lugey, in her opening remarks noted that the documentary was first done in 2013 by her predecessor, Dr Kwesi G. Annor and his team of executives but it was never launched. She said that the current executives picked it up again and expanded the scope to include a few more disabled persons who have turned the tide in their favour and are doing marvellously well in their chosen professions. This, she said, resulted in the change of name of the documentary from 'Enyonam' to ‘Life Beyond Limbs’.

All the speakers congratulated the Catholic Association of Media Practitioners – Ghana, (CAMP-G) for the good work done in telling the story of PWDs who are working hard to contribute to the socio-economic development of Ghana.

The documentary was made possible through funds received from SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communication. It can be viewed on the YouTube channel of the Catholic Association of Media Practitioners - Ghana (CAMP-G).