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Stop begging for alms… disabled cobbler admonishes PWDs
Mr Joseph Odey Mensah, a physically challenged cobbler, has asked persons with disability to stop begging for alms on the streets as the development is damaging to dignity
The owner of the Hope for Disabled Leather Works, located at Teshie in Accra, told The Spectator in an interview that everyone was created with capabilities and begging on the streets was a lazy and undignified way of making a living.
He said, “There is always dignity in labouring to cater for one’s self rather than stooping so low to beg on the streets.”
“I never wanted to become a burden to my family and society at large so I decided to train and become an entrepreneur instead of begging on the streets like many of my fellow disabled persons do.
“I believe in being self-reliant and need to set examples to other disabled persons to work hard and earn a decent living instead of relying on other people for survival,” he stated.
Paralysed in both legs at the age of three, the now 59-year-old man said, he established the company 37 years ago after dropping out of school, and decided to train at the Accra Rehabilitation Centre in 1982.
Singlehandedly, Mr. Joseph Odey Mensah popularly called Joe Mens made birkenstock sandals, students’ sandals and casual leather slippers for men and women.
“I am inspired to change the narrative where disabled persons are associated with begging, to become an entrepreneur and make a huge mark in Ghana’s local shoemaking industry,” he stated.
The father of five further said that, he took good care of his family through his shoemaking business and was working hard to expand the trade across the national capital Accra, and beyond.
“I make five sandals daily and I am able to make a decent amount each day to take care of my children’s education, the family’s upkeep as well as other disabled persons who I assist occasionally,” he stressed.
The country, he said, required everyone to contribute their quota to national development and thatsetting up his business was part of his contribution to the development of the private sector which was the engine of growth.
However, he said, the business was not without challenges as he needed adequate financial and logistical support to expand and employ other persons to earn decent living.
“I have over 80 persons under the ‘Hope for Disabled Persons Foundation’ and I intend to employ them to avoid endangering their lives on the streets,” he said, and called on government to make available the three percent allocated to disabled persons in the District Assembly Common Fund to help start-ups like him grow his companyto employ more persons.
“The allocation is a laudable idea but in reality, we do not receive the funds. I am trying to get government’s auction cars through the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to help distribute the slippers across the country”.
“With the right support, I can get more raw materials to produce in large quantities and distribute across the country instead of relying solely on my small showroom which is outside the capital,” he lamented.
He called on the public to desist from denying disabled persons jobs and consider them assets to society rather than liability.
“Parents must also not abandon their disabled children but support them to reach their full potentials,” he stressed.
By Michael Abayateye
INCREASING spate of road accidents, high rate of teenage pregnancies are worrying health issues confronting health workers in the Amansie South district of the Ashanti region. Road accident cases accounted for about 80 per cent of emergency cases in 2025, while a total of 728 teenage pregnancies were recorded in the district during the same period.
Mr Ofosu Kwabi Nasas, the District Director of Health Services, who announced these worrying trends in the district, said five deaths were recorded in these road accidents.
• Bishop Owusu Akyeaw
He was speaking at the 2025 annual performance review meeting of the health directorate at Manso-Adubia.
Mr Nasas expressed concern over the high rate of motor accidents in the district, attributing part of the problem to the poor state of road networks.
He said the dilapidated roads did not only contribute to accidents but also delayed timely access to healthcare services.
He therefore, appealed to the government to prioritise road rehabilitation within the district to help reduce accidents and improve emergency response.
Mr Nasas said the district recorded 728 cases of teenage pregnancies in 2025, describing the situation as alarming and a significant public health concern.
He urged parents and guardians to intensify supervision and guidance of their children to help curb the growing trend.
He emphasised that, stronger parental involvement, community education, and collaboration among stakeholders would be essential in addressing the issue and safeguarding the future of young girls in the district.
The Health Director further lamented the challenges facing healthcare workers in the district, particularly the high cost of accommodation because of the area’s active mining activities.
He explained that, high rent had made it difficult for many health professionals to secure affordable housing, forcing some to request for transfers to other districts.
He appealed to the government and relevant authorities to consider providing housing support for health workers to retain skilled personnel and ensure effective healthcare delivery.
In addition to housing challenges, Mr Nasas noted that, the district was currently facing a shortage of healthcare personnel.
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News
Ladies in Parliamentary Service, Women Caucus interact with Street Academy children to commemorate IWD
THE Ladies in Parliamentary Service (LIPS) in collaboration with the women’s caucus of parliament have paid a visit to the Street Academy in Accra to interact with the children and assess the needs of the institution.
The visit formed part of LIPS activities to commemorate the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD) with the children of the academy.
It also formed part of efforts to advance the objectives for this year’s theme which is “give to gain.”
The visit also afforded the lawmakers the opportunity to understand the challenges facing the academy, as they toured the various departments within the academy.
They shared lunch packs to the children and also interacted with them.
Speaking during the visit, the Board Chair of the Academy, Ms Lydia Sackey Addo, said the interaction gave the children and management the opportunity to share their experiences and challenges with the visiting delegation.
Ms Sackey Addo noted that the Member of Parliament for Ablekuma North Ms Ewurabena (Right) with other members of the women caucus of parliament interacting with the children
academy played a critical role in nurturing children who might otherwise be excluded from formal education and society.
She added that the visit would help draw attention to the importance of supporting such institutions to ensure vulnerable children were given the opportunity to learn and develop their talents.
The Founder and Executive Director of the Academy, Ataa Lartey, also expressed appreciation to the Women’s Caucus for the visit, describing it as a source of motivation for both staff and students.
He explained that the academy worked to develop the talents of children who had previously lived on the streets and helped reintegrate them into society through education and skills training.
Ataa Lartey said although the academy had made progress over the years, it continued to face several challenges, particularly with feeding.
“Our major challenge is feeding the children. Some of them come from very difficult backgrounds and when they are hungry, it becomes difficult for them to concentrate in class,” he said.
“When a child is fed, they are able to concentrate and understand what is being taught in the classroom,” he added.
Ataa Lartey appealed to individuals, organisations and government institutions to support the academy, particularly in providing food and teaching and learning materials for the children.
By Esinam Jemima Kuatsinu
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