During my recent visit to the Upper West Region, I encountered a young man with Down syndrome called Abdul-Wasiu Alhassan attached to a barbershop at Danko in the Upper West Region.

He was not just present; he was actively learning and excelling in the craft. Watching him skillfully handle the clippers and interact confidently with customers was a moment of reflection for me. It reaffirmed a truth that, we often overlook persons with Down syndrome and see them as burdens. Meanwhile, they have immense potential waiting to be unearthed.

In Ghana, persons with disabilities, especially those with Down syndrome, face severe marginalization. Society tends to perceive them as dependents, incapable of contributing meaningfully to the workforce. This mindset robs them of opportunities for skill development, economic independence, and social inclusion. Yet, as I witnessed firsthand, they are capable of learning, working, and thriving when given the right support and environment.

At the Rural-Urban Salvage Network (RUSaN), we believe in protecting and empowering vulnerable groups in our communities. The story of this young barber reinforces our mission to advocate for inclusive opportunities, where persons with disabilities can access skills training, employment, and dignity.

It is time for a national conversation on the inclusion of persons with Down syndrome in Ghana’s workforce. Government agencies, civil society, and local businesses must collaborate to create training programs tailored to their abilities, encourage entrepreneurship, and challenge the stereotypes that keep them on the margins.

I urge all Ghanaians to rethink how we view disability. Instead of seeing limitations, let us see potential. Instead of exclusion, let us foster inclusion. The young man I met in the barbershop is proof that, with the right support, persons with Down syndrome can excel. The question now is: Are we ready to give them the chance they deserve?