Meet Dorcas Dodoo, a 25 year old inspiring lady suffering from a medical condition which is quite novel that is ectrodactyly with a strong passion to become a footballer. Born different, but never defeated, Dorcas Dodoo is a young woman whose journey has been anything but ordinary. At 25, she stands as a beacon of strength and resilience, proving that disability does not mean inability. Besides, being disabled is not tantamount to you becoming a failure. From an early age, Dorcas learned to navigate a world that wasn’t always built for her. The challenges were many and over bearing especially in a society where people sometimes overlook victims like herself. But she chose to rise above all odds. Today, i meet Dorcas, a young woman proving that disability is not inability.
“This you are seeing wasn’t an accident, I was born with it. My parents are alive, but I can’t tel where they are now. My grandmother has been the one who has taken care of me since I was born. She told me my mother left me because of my condition. It’s unfortunate she has passed way, today is exactly two years she died and life has been very challenging,” Dorcas bemoaned.
According to the World Health Organization, over 1.3 billion people worldwide live with disabilities. In Ghana, nearly 2.2 million people are affected, yet accessibility to education, employment, and healthcare remains a major hurdle. As government works to achieve goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals agenda 2030, a communication lecturer from the University of Media, Arts and Communication, Mr. Samuel Danso, mentioned there’s more work for government to do.
“I can say that as a country, we are actually doing well with our fight to promote the Sustainable Development Goals, but we are still getting there. Despite the fact that people are registering their displeasure with government efforts to achieve the SDGs, little by little we are getting there. The goals varies, even with the goal 3 (good health and wellbeing), the kind of budget the previous government allocated to that sector only shows we are getting nearer the agenda 2030,” he explained.
But as we celebrate her strength, we also confront a deeper reality. Are we doing enough to create a society where everyone, regardless of ability, has equal opportunities? On the Global Support, United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) adopted in 2006, aims to promote the rights and well-being of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) worldwide.
Dorcas has faced stigma and rejection, but football has become her escape. Her aunty, Aunty Ayeley, who has cared for her since childhood, shares the struggles she has witnessed.
“Brethren, now Dorcas has no one. Her grandmother that used to cater for her is no more. It’s not easy caring for someone else child, but I’m pleading with you to support her in whatever way possible so she can achieve her dreams,” she pleaded
Despite the challenges, Dorcas’ coach, the founder and coach of Mighty Cosmos Football club, Obed Osro Tackie, coach sees her potential and believes she deserves the chance to pursue her dreams.
“Dorcas has been my girl since infancy and she likes football. So I gave the opportunity to join my team, Mighty Cosmos, she can train and get better. She makes sure to always come for training. She is a very good player. I am pleading to government and the big men if they can help her to join the Ghana Amputee Football Club it will help shape her life,” he pleaded.
But like many athletes with disabilities, support is lacking—from training facilities to sponsorship opportunities. Ghana’s Amputee Football Team has made strides internationally, but at the grassroots level, many like Dorcas are left behind. Her teammates recognize the struggles and call for more government and community support.
“When I first joined the team, she helped me settle in very well. And was doing extremely well, but due to her disability, her performance began to deteriorate. She keeps encouraging us. If she can be given the opportunity to join the Ghana Amputee Football Club, it will really go a long way to help her, because in life, you don’t judge by the physical appearance but by the mental appearance.” they shared.
While policies like the Ghana Disability Act 2006 and organizations such as the National Council on Persons with Disabilities exist, implementation remains a challenge.
Dorcas’ journey is a call to action. Are we truly building an inclusive society where talent thrives, regardless of ability? For Dorcas, the answer is clear—she refuses to be limited.
“I love football, I realized I passion for football at a young age. Things haven’t been easy as expected, but we are hoping for the best. I am calling on everyone to support me one way of the other in whichever way possible,” she said.
While there have been efforts to support PWDs globally, in Africa, and in Ghana, there is still much work to be done to ensure the full inclusion and empowerment of PWDs. Dorcas Dodoo’s journey is a powerful reminder that true inclusion goes beyond words—it requires action.
By Andy Oppong Dankyi
