Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon Rachel Adwoa Appoh has revealed governments’ intention to review the Disability Act (Act 715) which was passed by Parliament in June 2006.
According to her, governments’ role is to ensure compliance with Persons with Disability (PWD) especially among children who are deprived from their freedom and neglected due to handicaps.
“Among other things, the Disability Act makes provision for ensuring access to education at all levels for PWD’s as enshrined in Article 25 of the 1992 Constitution.
“…despite these interventions, persons with disability generally continue to be discriminated against and have critical challenges with accessibility. Some children of school going age are deprived formal education as some parents and guardians hide them from public view because of stigmatization,” she said.
The NDC Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central Constituency, Hon. Rachel Nana Adwoa Appoh however believes that, stigmatizing the disable affects the social economic development of the country especially with respect to education and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals.
Giving a key note address at a forum in Accra to commemorate this year’s National Day of the Person with Disability (PWD) on Monday June 24, Hon Nana Adwoa assured her Ministry’s readiness to educate disability issues with much seriousness so as person’s affected will not be discriminated.
“In view of this, the Ministry is committed to mainstreaming disability issues into development planning process, and a review of the Disability Act, Act 715 to ensure maximum attention to issues related to PWD’s.
“…we also intend strengthening our collaboration with other sectors especially the Ministries of Local Government and Rural Development, Health and Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs to address of concern to Person with Disabilities (PWD’s),” she said.
She however lauded non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) and institutions which have been of an immense support to person with disability and called on others to emulate such gestures to ensure protections and right of the person living with disability.
Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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