Federation Of The Disabled Appeals To The Government

The Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD) yesterday appealed to President Atta Mills and the appointment's committee, to seriously consider competent and qualified persons with disability for appointment into decision making positions.

It said, this among others, can go a long way to increase awareness within the wider Ghanaian society of the capabilities of the people with disability (PWD), emphasising that  'it will provide positive role models for PWDs and demonstrate to the PWD in general that they are fully accepted as equal members of the society.'

Mr Samuel Kwasi Asare, President of GFD, made the appeal when an 18 member delegation of the federation led by Madam Rita Kyeremaa Kusi, Executive Director of the GFD called the President at the Castle Osu, in Accra.

Mr Kwasi Asare also appealed to the President to come to the aid of the organisations of persons with disabilities in order to ameliorate the challenges of limited resources. He explained that the organisations play a very key role in promoting the welfare of PWD such as mobilisation, sensitisation and advocacy among others.

He observed that even though all children in Ghana have the right to quality education irrespective of their status, children with disability are unable to access and exercise that right. He noted that 'the country can only achieve the Millennium Development Goals target on education for all if all children are given equal treatment and opportunity, whether in special or regular schools.'

He therefore called on the President to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to which Ghana is a signatory.

In his response, President Mills, noted that 'nobody is immune from disability and there is no need for some sector to be discriminated against. Stressing that, 'what we need is not discrimination but willingness to help and appreciate their challenges.'

The President assured the federation that as soon as the government machinery is fully put in place, their plight will be addressed.