The H4P Organization, in partnership with Fire City Chapel, as part of celebrations to mark its 11th Anniversary showcased the abilities of Persons with Disability (PWDs) by creating the platform for the amazing talents and abilities of PWDs to be showcased to the world. The Ability Praise Concert, which took place on Saturday, 5th February, 2022, wasa land mark event in the Creative Arts Industry of Ghana, where there is a very low representation of PWDs. The Special Guests of Honour for the night were Madam Emma Lillian Bruce-Lyle, Board Member, National Council on Persons with Disabilities and Madam Mawunyo Yakor-Dagbah, President of Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations and First Vice President of the West African Federation of the Disabled . In her opening remarks, Madam Emma Lillian Bruce-Lyle commended the H4P Organization for such a wonderful initiative. She stressed on the need to stop associating disability with uselessness because when the enabling environment is created, PWDs can achieve great feats. Madam Mawunyo Yakor-Dagbah stressed on the fact that disability need not to be an obstacle to success. PWDs in Ghana are often regarded as unproductive and incapable of contributing positively to society and these sort of attitudes and mind-sets, rather than any mental or physical impairment, create barriers for PWDs. She further commended the H4P for changing the narrative with the Ability Praise Concert which seeks to prove that disability is not akin to inability as it creates a platform for Persons with Disability to showcase their capabilities. It was a night of pure bliss as musical artists from the disability community - Vicky Grant, Madam Gladys Agbenu, Lady Kate Sam, Prophet Isaac Yeboah, Pastor Lord Eben, Minister Jerry Charles and Reverend Epaphras Ato Forson mounted the stage and led the congregation through series of local and foreign gospel hit songs. The praise was eccentric, the worship was pristine and the joy was profound as attendees danced their hearts out and sung to the melodious and fantastic tunes performed by the artists. Princess Mensah also graced the night with an amazing poetry recital titled ‘Tears of Appreciation’ through which she expressed gratitude to Bishop Dr Charles Hackman, Founder and CEO of the H4P Organization, for lending a helping hand to Persons with Disability over the years. Attendees were left in awe and amazement by the dance performances of Listowel and Blessing Child. During the event, attendees were informed about a new project of the H4P Organization: the establishment of the Ability University College- a University for Persons with Disability. There was a call for individuals , organisations and groups to come on board and provide support for the construction of the Ability College. Many who attended the concert commended the H4P Organization for being a pacesetter in highlighting the abilities of persons with Disability in the Creative Arts Industry. The night was graced with representatives from the National Council on Persons with Disabilities, Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations, Ghana Blind Union, Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled, Ghana National Association of the Deaf , Ghana Association of Persons with Albinism, ShareCare Ghana, Ghana Burns Survivors, Ghana Stammering Association, Inclusion Ghana, Mental Health Society of Ghana , Accra Rehabilitation Centre and Centre for Employment for Persons with Disabilities. Congratulations to Bishop Dr Charles Hackman and the H4P Organization for a successful event. Indeed there is Ability in Disability!
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