Speed up the Passage of Disability Bill into Law

Bolgatanga, Dec. 29, GNA - An official of the Danish Umbrella Organisation of Persons with Disabilities (DSI) in Ghana, has re-iterated the call on Parliament expedite action on disability bill and pass it law.

According to Mr. Seth Alafa, a programme officer of the DSI, such a law would ensure that People With Disabilities (PWDs) get equal opportunities to facilities and development packages at all levels of their endeavours.

He said as a member of the United Nations (UN), Ghana had not abided by the world body's standard rules that enjoin member nations to give equal opportunities to their citizenry with particular reference to PWDs thereby failing to assist people with disability in the country. Mr Alafa was speaking at Bolgatanga at a get-to-gather organised by his outfit for Children With Disability (CWD) and their parents at the weekend.

He said disabled children had consistently been denied access to education, adequate health care and opportunities for training. Mr Alafa said such deprivation could be detrimental to the development of disabled children.

The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Mahami Salilfu, said there was nothing in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana that discriminated against PWDs and that development was as a result of negative public perception and attitude towards PWDs.

He said government was sensitive to issues concerning the vulnerable especially children, women and PWDs, adding that it would ensure that nothing was done to hinder the passing of the disability bill into law.

The children and their parents who numbered about 100 were served meals and beverages.