Ratify Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities

Kumasi, Sept 15, GNA - The Ghana Society for the Physically Disabled has urged the government to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Convention, which came into force in May last year, gives recognition to the rights of people with disabilities to education, health, work, self-representation and participation in governance processes.

Besides, it makes it mandatory that they are provided access to public transport, buildings and other facilities. Addressing a press conference in Kumasi, Mr Joseph Adu Boampong, National President of the GSPD, said ratification of the Convention, was a commitment on the part of the State to invest in its population with disabilities.

This was also an acknowledgement of the need to move away from the charity-based to human-rights approach for disability issues. By so doing, the physically challenged would be empowered to improve their living conditions.

It is estimated that 5.5 per cent of Ghana's population suffer from disability in one form or the other and this range from hearing defects, vision, mental to movement impairment.

Mr Boampong described the convention as "a major milestone in efforts" to promote, protect and ensure that the rights and freedoms of those with physical disabilities are respected. He said it was time for all to appreciate the fact that disability did not connote inability and therefore investing in them could be productive.

They should be seen as useful partners in development and must not be despised and discriminated against, he added.