Gov`t urged to ratify UN Convention…on rights of disabled

THE GOVERNMENT of Ghana has been called upon to ratify the United Nations (UN) Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities, so that they would be entitled to all rights and freedoms set forth, without distinction of any kind.

The Convention, which has been ratified by thirty two out of the 129 countries in the world which have signed for it, still have significant countries including Germany, United States, Canada not ratifying, but the Ghana Society for Physical Disabilities (GSPD) says the government must do as much as it can to ratify it.

Persons with disabilities have also called on the general public not to discriminate against them, and also change the perception that they were charity-oriented or medical-based people.

According to Mr. Joseph Adu-Boampong, National President of the Ghana Society of Physically Disabled (GSPD), the notion should be erased, in order to promote, protect and ensure their full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.

Speaking at a sensitisation workshop for journalists, human rights institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGO) in Kumasi last Monday, Adu-Boampong said, “The traditional approaches and attitudes, no matter how well-intentioned they might be, regarded persons with disabilities either as passive recipients of good will, or deeds, must be fixed once and for all.”

He also extolled the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which came into force last year, saying disabled people had finally gained their own charter and full recognition, that they too have human rights.

He said despite the worthy ventures of the UN, millions of disabled people worldwide still face discrimination in education, employment, healthcare and decision making.

Interpreting the UN Convention on the Rights of persons with Disabilities, Mr. Michael Kwabena Atta Adjei, a Kumasi-based legal practitioner, stated that 'state parties recognise that all persons are equal before and under the law and are entitled, without any discrimination, to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law.'

He said State Parties shall prohibit all discrimination on the basis of disability, and guarantee to persons with disabilities, equal and effective legal protection against discrimination on all grounds.

According to him, in order to promote equality and eliminate discrimination, State Parties shall take all appropriate steps to ensure that reasonable accommodation is provided.

He also mentioned that Article 6 of the Convention sates that “State Parties recognise that women and girls with disabilities are subject to multiple discrimination, and in this regard shall take measures to ensure the full and equal enjoyment by them, of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

He said State Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure the full development, advancement and empowerment of women, for the purpose of guaranteeing them the exercise and enjoyment of the human rights fundamental freedoms, set out in the present convention.

Mr. Yaw Atakora-Poku, National Vice President of the GSPD, also called on the general public, especially drivers, to attend to disabled persons with urgency when they are found along the roadsides waiting to board a car.

He said during rush hours, the physically challenged find it difficult to get a vehicle to their various destinations, especially those in wheelchairs, since drivers do not respect them, and refuse to pick them, even though they pay for their fares when they board a vehicle, saying “any one could be disabled at any time.”