Government should ratify Disability Act without delay- Federation

Kumasi, July 25, GNA- The Kumasi Metropolitan Federation of the Physically Disabled on Friday organised a day's seminar to draw public attention to discrimination and other forms of indignities suffered by the physically challenged persons in the country. The "seminar on the theme: "Correcting Negative Perception on Disability," which was attended by more than 500 people also aimed at creating awareness about the need to ensure that minimum standard of facilities are offered to public institutions to provide accessibility to the disabled. Mr. Yaw Atakorah Asamoah Poku, President of the Kumasi Branch of the Federation, who addressed the seminar, said it was worrying that many Ghanaians continued to have negative views about people with disabilities.

To help to reverse the situation, he urged government to ratify the Disability Act, 2006, to give adequate protection to people with disabilities. He said it was disheartening that the disabled were often denied access to health, education, sports and other public facilities. Mr. Poku said it was time Ghanaians made away with the superstitious belief that disabilities were the result of a curse or divine punishment.

He called on all disabled persons to demand that their right to human dignity was respected and to refuse derogatory tags like "Apakye", "Bafan", and "Pozo." Mr. Sakyi Boafo, Kumasi Metropolitan Director of Social Welfare, said disability was not synonymous with inability and asked persons with disability to involve themselves in activities that would help to advance the country, socially and economically. Nana Ampofo Kyei Baffour II, a traditional ruler, who chaired the function, advised people with disabilities to be assertive and to insist on their rights. 25 July 09

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