The Naa oo Naa Foundation, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to empowering vulnerable groups, has held the maiden edition of its “Sight Beyond Eyes” ICT and Career Support Programme for visually impaired persons in Ghana.

The initiative, held at Ghana National College, offered ICT training, mentorship, and career guidance, and also provided laptops and learning materials to support the academic journey of visually impaired students.

The programme seeks to promote inclusion, highlight powerful disability-success stories, and support Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) across educational institutions. It further aims to emphasise that disability is not inability, and that providing equal opportunity is essential for national development.

Organised in partnership with the Pan-African Professional Alliance at Pennsylvania State University (USA) and Franco Trading Enterprise, the event brought together mentors, professionals, and visually impaired learners.

A visually impaired lawyer and lecturer at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Mr. Carruthers Tetteh, shared his inspiring journey. Once fully sighted, he lost his vision at age eleven, a development that forced him to move from regular school to a specialised institution. Despite the setback, he refused to abandon his ambitions.

Now a member of the Foundation’s Board and head of its Persons with Special Needs Unit, Mr. Tetteh recounted how resilience and hard work carried him through secondary school to the University of Cape Coast, where he graduated with First Class Honours in Law. Today, he is a practising lawyer and the first visually impaired person to lecture in Law in Ghana.

He urged students never to allow disability or circumstance to limit their aspirations, stressing that “with the right mindset, support, and determination, one can rise above any challenge,” and encouraged them to recognise the power within themselves.

The programme’s career session featured Ms. Sabina Sabia Bolsong Young, a private legal practitioner, and Mr. Frank Boakye Yiadom, APR, a Corporate Communications expert at UCC.

They guided students through academic planning, career pathways, and strategies for excellence at the tertiary level. They encouraged participants to identify their strengths early, seek mentorship, and make use of available support systems.

Project Manager of the Foundation, Mr. Fredrick Quaicoe, explained that the initiative was designed to equip visually impaired students with practical ICT skills, prepare them for higher education, and position them competitively for the job market. He appealed for increased financial and logistical support from individuals, organisations, and state institutions to expand the programme.

Joining virtually from the USA, Dzigbordi L. Dzakpa, a lawyer and researcher at Pennsylvania State University, spoke on “The Critical Role of Digital Literacy in Enhancing Independence and Inclusion.” She noted that digital competence is no longer optional but essential for meaningful social and economic participation.

Additionally, Dr. Francis Wiredu, a Clinical Optometrist at Healthy Eyes Eyecare & Optical Centre, delivered a session on proper eye-care management.

The Foundation’s Director of Communications and Public Relations, Ms. Catherine Antwi Boasiako, emphasised that inclusive empowerment remains a key pillar of national development. She encouraged stakeholders to incorporate disability inclusion at all levels of planning, decision-making, and implementation to ensure that no Ghanaian is left behind.