President of the Ghana Chamber for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities, Mr. Alexander Tetteh, has called for a change in the way businesses owned by persons with disabilities are perceived, urging the public to treat them as legitimate businesses rather than charity projects.
He said buying products from entrepreneurs with disabilities out of sympathy may offer temporary support, but does little to help their businesses become sustainable and competitive.
“Sometimes when disabled people produce products, we don’t see it as a business. We see it as a charity,” Mr. Tetteh said. “We should see it with a business eye, so that we support them to grow and expand. But if we see it as charity, it will not grow.”
He made the remarks during an episode of Springboard Hangout with Comfort Ocran, which focused on redefining inclusion and creating greater opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The discussion featured young entrepreneur Elisha Kofi Foli, Founder of Mycocostuff Ghana, whose business turns discarded coconut shells into eco-friendly products, including cups, plates, phone stands, earrings, buttons, and other household and fashion accessories.
Mr. Foli explained that he started the business after observing the large amounts of coconut waste in his community, particularly after rainfall and flooding. Rather than focusing only on plastic waste, he decided to find value in another common form of waste.
His business now employs three people on a part-time basis, with the potential to create more jobs as demand increases.
However, market acceptance remains one of his major challenges. Mr. Foli noted that some customers focus on his disability and approach his products with sympathy instead of appreciating their quality and commercial value.
That experience, he said, has strengthened his determination to demonstrate that persons with disabilities can build viable businesses and contribute meaningfully to society.
Mr. Tetteh said the Ghana Chamber for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities, which has mobilized more than 4,000 entrepreneurs with disabilities, works to address some of these challenges through market access, funding opportunities, training and policy advocacy.
The Chamber also creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to exhibit their products and connect with potential customers.
Beyond market access, Mr. Tetteh called for more inclusive business policies, noting that not every person with a disability would find employment in the formal sector. He therefore advocated for entrepreneurship to be included in policies aimed at improving employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
He also stressed the need for accessible public spaces, respectful language and positive attitudes towards persons with disabilities. For him, inclusion goes beyond physical access. It requires society to recognise persons with disabilities as equal participants in education, employment, business and public life.
Mr. Foli, who won the Most Resilient Award at the Enterprise Spotlight Challenge, a youth entrepreneurship challenge by the Enterprise Group with technical support from Springboard Road Show Foundation in April 2026, encouraged persons with disabilities to be confident, pursue available opportunities and stand up for their rights within the law.
The discussion formed part of Springboard Hangout with Comfort Ocran’s ongoing conversation on redefining inclusion and promoting a society where persons with disabilities can pursue dignified and fulfilling work.
Watch the full interview here… https://www.youtube.com/live/2RQCakxBI_U?si=jmHkbefN-5iLR1Tf
About Springboard Hangout
Springboard Hangout is a funducative, youth-centred show hosted by Comfort Ocran. It features inspiring stories, practical skills, and real-life experiences aimed at educating, entertaining, and equipping the next generation. The programme airs every Saturday at 4:00 PM on Joy Prime TV and on the Springboard Channel on Facebook and YouTube.
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