MDAs urged to support physically challenged persons

Mr Joseph Adu-Boampong, the National President of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled (GSPD), has called on district and municipal assemblies to support activities of the physically challenged to make them self-reliant.

This, he said, could be done if the assemblies regularly released the two per cent share of the common fund allocated to the physically challenged.

Mr Adu-Boampong made the call when he inaugurated the Techiman North District branch of the GSPD at Tuobodom.

He appealed to the District Assembly to provide an office accommodation for the 194-member branch of the society.

Mr Adu-Boampong said the GSPD was founded in 1980 and had since been championing the cause of its members, who were disadvantaged in terms of access to health, education, employment and cultural activities.

Mr Anthony Kwaku Manu, Techiman North District Chief Executive, said it was the policy of the government to offer the physically challenged the needed support to become self-reliant.

He said the passage of Act 715 introduced landmark legislation for all people with disabilities, saying the assembly had taken steps to offer and create conducive atmosphere for them.

Mr Emmanuel Kofi Gyan, Chairman of the Techiman North District Branch of the Society, called on members to endeavour to engage in economic ventures to enhance their livelihoods.

He said the society intended to put up a rehabilitation centre to enable members to acquire skills training and therefore advised unregistered members to do so for their own benefit.

Mr Gyan appealed to the non-governmental, religious and charitable organisations, and philanthropists to support them towards the construction of the centre.

Nana Yaw Boakye, Administrative Manager of ASTA FM, a Techiman based radio station, commended members of the society for their efforts in alleviating the plight of the physically challenged.

He assured that the media in the municipality would continue to support them in all areas of life.