Chief calls for attitudinal change towards disabilities

Nana Asampong Boakye III, Asamponhene of Kumasi, has called for a change of attitude and behaviour toward the physically or mentally-challenged in society.

He said people with disabilities have great potentials and when harnessed well they could be in the position to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the country.

Nana Boakye was opening the fourth in a series of a workshop organised jointly by the Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled (GSPD) and the Danish Sports Organization of the Disabled (DSOD) at the Ghana Social Club in Kumasi on Saturday.

The workshop dubbed the “Training of Trainer's Workshop” brought together 50 potential physically challenged sportsmen and women from the various districts in Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and the Eastern Regions.

They were trained in physical fitness, self-reliant, confidence building and team work skills. In addition they were educated on the international rules in sports, video show on lives of prominent disabled sports personalities and talks on social issues and welfare of people with disabilities.

They also engaged in activities such as amputee soccer, table tennis and wheel chair basketball.

Nana Boakye III reiterated the need for society to support people with disabilities to unearth their potentials and called on parents to enrol their disabled children in schools instead of keeping them indoors.

Mr Abdul Azziz Mohammed, National President of the GSPD Sports said the workshop formed part of a two-and-half-years sports development contract between DSOD and the GSPD Sports in 2006.

He said three of such workshops had already taken place in the three northern regions of the country, Central, Western, Volta and the Greater Accra regions.

Mr Azziz urged the participants to leave the workshop as instructors who would endeavour to impart what they had acquired to their counterparts at the district levels.

He thanked individuals and corporate bodies that contribute to disability sports and welfare in general with particular reference to Mr Chaoki El-Anidi, Manager of Ghana Social Club. Mr El-Anidi provided all the sports facilities and equipment.

Mr Azziz repeated his call to the government, Non-governmental Organizations (NGO's), Corporate Bodies and Philanthropists to invest in disabled sports stressing that GSPD Sports would soon launch a four-year strategic disabled sports development plan for members.

Mr. Anthony Agyeman, Head, Community Care Programme of the Department of Social Welfare, Ashanti Region, appealed to the participants to inculcate the spirit of good sportsmanship, discipline and fair play in competitions.

Mr Sakyi Boafo, Kumasi Metropolitan Director, Department of Social Welfare hinted that the Department was committed to its advocacy and supportive roles in the socio-economic advancement of people with disabilities.