TAMALE: Voices of Women and Children with Disabilities in Ghana (VOWACGHANA) has petitioned the NPP, the NDC, and the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly (TaMA) to promote the participation of women and persons with disabilities in governance. According to Ghana News Agency, the petition was presented in Tamale as part of the celebration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It urged the NPP, NDC, and TaMA to target and include women with disabilities in their leadership structures at both local and national levels. The petition also demanded that the District Assemblies Common Fund be released to benefit women and children with disabilities. It called for the government to nominate at least five percent of females with disabilities among the 30% appointees at the district assembly level. Additionally, it emphasized that all children with disabilities of school-going age should have access to education with the necessary support as outlined in the Inclusive Education Policy. Madam Juliana Efia Ma hmood, Acting Executive Director of Voices of Women and Children with Disabilities and Care Givers of Children with Disabilities in Ghana, highlighted that women and children with disabilities were often excluded and not deliberately targeted for leadership positions and decision-making processes, despite constituting a significant portion of the disability population. Mr. Mahamadu Salam, Deputy Director for Special Duties for the NDC in the Northern Region, assured VOWACGHANA that its demands were included in the party's manifesto. He stated that if the NDC won the elections, persons with disabilities would enjoy free tertiary education, and the 3% District Assemblies Common Fund allocated to persons with disabilities would be increased to 5% and paid upfront.