Tongor-Dzemeni (V/R), Jan. 23, GNA – Madam Elikplim Klu, Volta and Oti Vice President, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Paralegals, has called on society to support Persons With Disability (PWDs) and Persons With Mental Health Conditions (PWMHCs).
She said it was high time society recognised their potentials and provided them with the opportunities to achieve their capacities and become economically independent.
Madam Klu, speaking at a sensitisation programme at Tongor-Dzemeni in the South Dayi District of the Volta, organised by Global Action for Women Empowerment (GLOWA), also called on society to treat PWDs and PWMHCs with respect and dignity.
She said the failure of society to create an enabling environment for persons with disability to carry out their dreams successfully, was a contributing factor to their inability to contribute to national development.
Madam Klu lamented that most public
and private places were still inaccessible to PWDs, many years after the passage of Persons with Disability Act and appealed to authorities to ensure full implementation of the Act.
Most of our hospitals and police stations do not have sign language interpreters, which is not good because it is affecting our brothers and sisters with hearing impairment, she said, and called for pragmatic measures to deal with the situation.
Madam Klu said there was money at the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies which parents of children with disability could apply for to send their wards to school, and urged such parents to take advantage of the fund.
Ms Ivy Bedy, Project Officer at GLOWA told Ghana News Agency (GNA) the objective of the programme was to sensitise PWDs and the community on the rights of PWDs and PWMHCs.
She said people continued to infringe on the rights of PWDs and PWMHCs because they were not aware of their rights.
The programme, she said, also aimed to sensitize the citizens to champion, protect and defend the rights of PWDs including PWMHDs and support them to live without adiscrimination and stigmatisation.
Mr Philip Newa Kokroko, Social Development Officer, South Dayi Assembly underscored the need for citizens to respect the rights of PWDs and PWMHCs as enshrined in their Acts.
He said PWDs and PWMHCs rights to family and social life must be respected by all, warning persons infringing on their rights to desist from it.
The programme was attended by assembly members for Tongor-Dzemeni East and West, Messrs Thomas Avuwordah and John Abotsi, religious and traditional leaders who pledged to champion the rights of PWDs and PWMHCs.
Some participants who spoke to the Ghana News Agency said they were enlightened and expressed appreciation to GLOWA and its partners.
The organisation also carried out similar programme at Peki-Tsame, Peki-Adzokoe and Wegbe Kpalime and Kaira, all in the South Dayi District.
The programme formed part of a 12-month disability and mental health focused programme, Ghana Somubi Dwumadie (Ghana Participation Programme) with funding support from UKaid through Options’ consortium.
GNA