Following the successful graduation of a previous cohort in February, MDF in collaboration with the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) and Crosswise Works are expanding the reach of the We Can Work Programme by delivering Core Life Skills training to new cohorts of Persons with Disability (PWD) in the Ashanti and Bono Regions of Ghana (Kumasi and Sunyani), building on the programme’s earlier implementation in Accra and Koforidua.
Earlier this year, 101 young women and men with disabilities graduated from the Core Life Skills phase of the programme in Accra and progressed into Entrepreneurship and Employability pathways. Building on those achievements, MDF West Africa is still supporting the next phase of implementation by equipping trainers and facilitators to deliver the same transformative training in the Ashanti and Bono Regions.
The expansion marks an important milestone for the programme. What began in Greater Accra and the Eastern Region is now reaching more communities across Ghana, ensuring that more young persons with disabilities have access to the skills, confidence, and support needed to pursue meaningful livelihoods.
Through the Core Life Skills curriculum, participants will develop essential competencies in self-awareness, self-advocacy, communication, disability rights, mental well-being, and career readiness. These foundational skills will prepare them to transition into entrepreneurship and employment opportunities while strengthening their ability to participate fully in society.
A key feature of this phase is the Training of Trainers approach, where MDF facilitators and industry trainers are equipped to deliver the curriculum to new cohorts of participants. This model allows the programme's impact to extend beyond a single training event, creating opportunities for continued learning and support within local communities.
The expansion into Kumasi and Sunyani demonstrates the growing demand for inclusive skills development and reflects the programme's commitment to reaching more persons with disabilities across Ghana. It also highlights abroader shift towards recognising the capabilities, aspirations, and economic potential of PWDs when provided with the right opportunities and support.
As the programme grows from two cities to four, its impact continues to spread—strengthening individual confidence, promoting inclusion, and opening pathways to employment and entrepreneurship for more young persons with disabilities across the country.
The We Can Work Programme is implemented through a partnership involving the Mastercard Foundation, Light for the World, the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD), with MDF West Africa serving as a learning partner, facilitator, and inclusion enabler.
