Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has called for a more inclusive society that provides greater support for persons living with disabilities (PWDs).

According to him, disability is a condition that can affect anyone, regardless of their social or educational status.

Speaking at the inaugural Disability Conversation hosted by the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation, the former president shared his personal experience with disability, reflecting on how he now relies on a wheelchair—something he never anticipated.

“Look at me today,” Kufuor remarked. “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. I’m in a wheelchair, and I cannot walk, and I need about four, five, six hefty men to be pushing me around like a baby.”

He urged society to foster greater acceptance and integration of people with disabilities, stressing the need to embrace diversity and build tolerance for everyone.

“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.”

He also highlighted the importance of the Disability Act in ensuring that people with disabilities are not only safe but also feel valued and protected.

In a related call for action, former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko suggested that public facilities that fail 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.

At the event, individuals with disabilities who have overcome stigma and excelled in their respective fields shared their stories, emphasizing that they should be recognized for their abilities rather than be pitied.