Kimathi and Partners to Initiate One Student with Special Need, One Laptop

Mr. Sefakor Kuenyehia, Lawyer, Kimathi and Partners (K&P), has pledged on behalf of K&P to support the Vice-Chancellor’s One-Student-One-Laptop Initiative with “One Student with Special Needs, One Laptop”. He made this promise at the launch of the maiden edition of the Kimathi & Partners Diversity and Inclusion Symposium organised in collaboration with the Office of Students with Special Needs (OSSN).

The event, which was themed, “A Step towards an Inclusive and Diverse Tomorrow” brought students with special needs from the University together to discuss employment opportunities and development of soft/entrepreneurial skills. It further witnessed book grants presented to Level 100 students with visual impairment.

Mr. Kuenyehia in his remarks appreciated the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nana Aba Appiah Amfo for the One-Student-One-Laptop initiative and expressed how the firm in its small way will make One Student with Special Needs, One Laptop, a reality. “So that with the blessing God has bestowed upon the firm, we can be a blessing to many”, he stated.

Mr. Kuenyehia gave brief remarks on the event from the firm’s perspective and explained the firm’s decision to include all persons who are disadvantaged in the Kimathi & Partners grants for the visually impaired. He was confident that the symposium will be a continuous stepping-stone to enhancing the lives of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

Mr. Sefakor Kuenyehia, Lawyer, Kimathi and Partners (K&P)

Dr. Efua Mantey Agyire-Tettey, Coordinator, OSSN, in her welcome address expressed enormous appreciation to Kimathi & Partners for their support to PWDs and the grants being offered to the students with disability. “We are indeed grateful to Kimathi & Partners for collaborating with the OSSN to organise such a forum. This, indeed, demonstrates our commitment in achieving the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) that Ghana signed onto in 2006 and more importantly improving the lives of persons with disability”, she added.

Dr. Efua Mantey Agyire-Tettey, Coordinator, OSSN

Noting that everyone including persons with disability have the right to a decent work, Dr. Mantey lamented how the employment needs of persons with disability have always been a major challenge. “Their unemployment rate is usually double, compared to those without disability. This is due to barriers such as education, training and support to enhance their human capital formation which may lead to employment”, she stated.

Dr. Mantey expressed the hope that helping the disadvantaged and supporting their education will become the common undertaking of all the different sectors assembled. “This undertaking is laudable, depicting social justice and fairness in the society”, she added. She appealed to all individuals to create a sense of inclusion and diversity by accepting PWDs.

Ms. Farida Bedwei, Software Engineer, Microsoft, in her speech took the students through her journey of success as a physically challenged person. She encouraged them to take opportunities and not allow disability to be a stumbling block to their success. “We lose opportunities because we are afraid of rejection. Once we put fear of rejection away, we can do and achieve so much”, she stated. Ms. Bedwei threw light on her disability and urged the students to identify their strengths and weakness, and leverage on the strengths.

She expressed the need for persons with disabilities to add value to themselves and noted, “There are thousands of people without disability who are looking for that job and it is easier for the employer to hire those without disability because they don’t have to do any adjustment to their office or software for them. So, the fact that you want the job, you have to bring something extra to the table”. She encouraged them to believe in themselves and grab available opportunities relevant to their dreams and aspirations.

Ms. Farida Bedwei, Software Engineer, Microsoft

Mr. Jacob Adongo, Director of Gender and Disability at the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), in his speech, expressed the need to pass policies that do not discriminate against the employment of PWDs. “We are asking for equal opportunity or equity. Create that opportunity that will make PWDs function at their workplaces”, he said. Mr. Adongo admonished PWDs to be at their uttermost best when they are given the opportunity.

Earlier, Mr. Kwasi Danso Amoah, Kimathi and Partners, gave a brief history to the Kimathi Kuenyehia Book Grants for the visually impaired. He explained that Mr. Kimathi Kuenyehia was impressed with Mr. Kudus Bukari, the valedictorian for the 2016 Bachelor of Arts congregation even though he was visually impaired. “This touched Mr. Kuenyehia to help students and people with special needs, as part of the values he already upholds. So, he decided to help in the little way, by helping to meet their educational needs”, he stated.

The event was attended by team members from OSSN and Kimathi & Partners and a cross-section of members from the University Community.