Accra, Dec. 7, GNA - The Faculty of Social Work, University of Manitoba, Canada, is to collaborate with the Network of Journalists for the Promotion of Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa- Ghana Chapter (PROMOAFRICA).

This would enable the two bodies to exchange ideas and programmes th= at would promote the wellbeing of journalists with disabilities in Ghana. University of Manitoba, based in Winnipeg in Canada that closely works with the Canadian Centre for Disability Studies, will aid the PROMOAFRICAto come out with findings on the impact of the first phase of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities which ends this month and other areas that will promote and improve on the lives of persons with disabilities.

A statement signed by Seth K Addi, Local Chapter President, said other areas that the University would seek collaboration with the Network included, research, advocacy, exchange programs and ideas, and training o= n social works. It said Professor Don Fuchs, Project Director, Comani Student Exchan= ge Programme, University of Manitoba, announced this at a meeting between th= e leadership of the PROMOAFRICA - Ghana Chapter. Mr Addi thanked the University of Manitoba for the efforts adding th= at its partnership with the university would play an important role in ensur= ing that African governments made the necessary changes to national and local=

laws, policies and programmes to advance the lives of the nearly 80 milli= on Africans with disabilities. He said the democratic environment in the country gave media professionals the challenge to be more responsible in their reporting. "But it is society's responsibility to demand a more democratic medi= a and have a duty to get their message to the press so that their voices ca= n be heard and reach the general public," Mr Addai said. He said partnership with the University gave confidence and determination to the Network in their struggle to gain recognition and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all sectors of Ghanaian life. Among those present at the meeting were the Programmes Manager of the=

Secretariat of the African Decade of Persons with Disabilities, Madam Aid= a Sarr from Senegal, Mr. Gregory Lankono advocacy officer of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled and Mr. Oman Diop, special adviser of the Mayo= r of Dakar-Senegal. 7 Dec. 09