Speed up the bill on persons with disabilities.

Accra, Dec.16 GNA - Dr.Bashiru I. Koray, President of the Ghana Association of the Blind (GAB) on Tuesday reiterated the Association's call on Government to speed up the passage of the bill on persons with disabilities before Parliament.

He said the passing of the bill would go a along way to eliminate some of the pertinent problems facing disable people in the country. Dr. Karay stated this at a luncheon organised by GAB to mark its 40th Anniversary celebrations in Accra.

The Association, which has branhes across the country, aims at uniting the blind and the partially sighted as well as promote the well-being of its members.

Dr.Koray urged the government and international bodies to involve the association in their workshops and seminars on policies and programmes that affect the blind.

" GAB is not only an organisation for the blind but the blind speaking for themselves"

The GAB President also urged government to assist members access the Poverty Alleviation Fund to open small businesses to support their families.

He urged the government to create opportunities for blind people to raise the level of awareness of its members.

He said the blind should be treated fairly on the principles of equal rights since they have rights like any other person in the country. Mr Stephen Baladu Manu, Member of Parliament for Asunafo North and Chairman of Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Social Services urged people not to relegate issues on disability to the background.

He also appealed to parents of disable persons not to maltreat them. "Technology have made it possible for blind people to go to places where sighted people can go."