KKGPwD supports 51 UG students with special needs

The Kimathi Kuenyehia Grant for People with Disabilities (KKGPwD), a not-for-profit organization, has extended support to 51 students with special needs at the University of Ghana. The event, held at the SRC Union building on the university campus, aimed to alleviate financial barriers for students with disabilities as part of the grant’s ongoing mission.

Established in 2016, the KKGPwD originally focused on aiding first-year students with visual impairments by easing the financial burden of educational materials. However, it later expanded to support all first-year students with disabilities to meet the broader needs of the disabled student community.

This inclusive approach ensures that students with disabilities can access essential educational resources without financial constraints, enabling them to pursue their academic goals more effectively. Since its inception, the KKGPwD has benefited a total of 159 students, including 56 females and 103 males, between 2016 and 2024, demonstrating its commitment to fostering an equitable academic environment for students with disabilities.

Following the event on July 24, Dodzi Koku Hattoh, a consultant from Kimathi & Partners, Corporate Attorneys, emphasized the importance of prioritizing students with disabilities and encouraged support for the initiative. UG’s Dean of Student Affairs & Acting Coordinator at UG’s Centre for Disability Studies and Advocacy (CDSA), Prof. Rosina Kyerematen, expressed her appreciation for the grant and highlighted the role of financial aid in leveling the playing field for students with disabilities.

She urged Ghanaians to support the expansion of such programs and emphasized the need for additional assistance despite the university’s efforts. Prof. Kyerematen mentioned the need for donations such as vehicles, buses, wheelchairs, white sticks, and other resources to support disabled students in their academic pursuits.