Disabled persons say assemblies should account for money

Sunyani, Aug 10, GNA - The Youth and Students Wing of the Ghana Association for the Blind (GAB) has appealed to metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to publish how the up-to five per cent of the Common Fund allocated for persons with disabilities are utilised every year.

Mr J.B. Mensah, President of the Wing, made the appeal at its 14th annual delegates congress in Sunyani under the theme, "The Impact of The Disability Act in the life of blind and partially sighted youth in the country".

He stated that efforts made by the association to improve the lot of its members were thwarted in one way or the other by some institutions and agencies.

"The visually challenged persons in the country have suffered for far too long due to marginalization and discrimination," he said. "Unfavourable governmental policies, some outmoded traditional practices and customs, as well as negative social attitudes have contributed to our woes."

Mr. Mensah however noted that the Disability Act that seeks to solve some of the problems militating against them and other disability groups would make their lives more meaningful than ever. "Therefore for the dream to be realised, the Wing pledges its readiness to lead Ghana Federation of the Disabled in the crusade to raise awareness and to ensure the effective implementation of the Act", Mr. Mensah said.

Mr. Siddique Hamidu, the Deputy General Secretary of the Wing, expressed regret about the long delay in the release of the results of some of its members who sat for the SSCE private examinations conducted by WAEC last year.

He said this had affected their educational development and appealed to all relevant bodies to put pressure on the WAEC to release the results to enable their affected members to pursue their academic laurels.

Mr. Hamidu called on NGOs and other bodies to support the Wing to carry out some of its activities, more especially in education and employment. He thanked the Danish Association of the Blind (DAB) for its support for the Wing.

Mr Kwadwo Kwakye, the Deputy Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister, commended the Wing for initiating the process to disseminate the contents of the Disability Act to its members and other persons with disabilities.

Mr Kwakye said the Act had come to make life more meaningful to them and for it to have a positive impact, both the able-bodied and persons with disabilities should all be involved.

He advised them not to see the Act as end in itself but rather an opportunity to strive to achieve their maximum capacities just as all citizens are required to do.

The Deputy Minister appealed to families and communities to be the first line of support for their members with disability, with local and central governments coming in to assist when families and communities are unable to cope.

"It is not right for families to shirk their responsibilities towards their children with disabilities, persons with disabilities should be given the same level of support if not more, as given to other members of the family", he said.

Mr Philip Bediako, Vice-President of GAB, appealed to the Deputy Regional Minister to include some of the association's members in the 500 persons to be selected in the region for employment. He also called on the government to appoint some of their members to the district assemblies.