Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has shared a poignant reflection on his own experience with disability.

During the inaugural Disability Conversation hosted by the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation, the former president stated, “I’m in a wheelchair and I cannot walk."

According to him, he needs about "four, five, six hefty men to be pushing me around like a baby.”

Kufuor, who never imagined relying on a wheelchair a decade ago, highlighted the importance of embracing diversity and integrating people with disabilities into society. He therefore called for greater support and inclusion for persons living with disabilities (PWDs).

“Look at me today,” Kufuor continued. “If someone had said ten years ago that I would be in a wheelchair today, perhaps, he would have been disputed and damned as a false prophet, but this prophecy is the reality today.”

He emphasized that no segment of society should be left behind and urged for appreciation of our differences and individual challenges.

“We cannot afford to leave any segment of our society behind,” Kufuor added. “We must appreciate our differences and our individual challenges and work towards integrating everyone as an integral part of the human race.”

Kufuor also stressed the importance of the Disability Act in ensuring that people with disabilities feel safe, valued, and protected within society.

Former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko, also speaking at the event, recommended that public facilities failing to meet accessibility standards for persons with disabilities should not be certified.

"I struggle to understand how an engineer can approve a building or road construction that doesn’t comply with specific codes. It reflects poorly on us to cut corners. We need to recognize that disability is a universal condition, stemming from the fall of Adam. All humanity experiences disability in different forms and degrees. Embracing this mindset will help us plan better for our current or future needs," Agyarko stated.