By Erica Apeatua Addo
Tarkwa (W/R), July 3, GNA-Mr Augustin Niber, the Executive Director of Center for Public Interest Law (CePIL), says Persons with Disabilities (PWD’s) deserve equal opportunities and recognition, irrespective of their abilities.
He said the PWDs have so much to offer and there was the need to create an enabling environment that would allow them to excel.
Mr Niber made the call in Tarkwa when (CePIL) with support from Oxfam and in collaboration with the National Council on Persons with Disability (NCPD) organized a training programme for PWDs in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region.
Topics discussed included, categories of disabilities in Ghana, sources of Funds for the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) for PWD’s, and guidelines for the management and disbursement of the DACF for PWD’s.
The Executive Director implored PWD’s to identify and utilize resources that support their growth and development to enhance their opportunities for success.
“I am hopeful that our conversation on DACF and the other topics will lead to meaningful Action. We will follow up on the issues you have raised to ensure you receive what is rightfully yours”, he added.
Mr Niber pushed for inclusive design in their buildings, roads, and transportation system for PWD’s, stressing that, “infrastructure should be designed with everyone in mind not few”.
Mr Joshua Addy, Acting National Coordinator, NCPD, mentioned the PWD’s enterprise support programme, disability guide allowance, tax relief, inclusive education policy and District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) as some interventions available for PWD’s.
He further said, “those who can access the DACF are individuals who are PWD’s and are not working in public or formal sector or not in any gainful employment activity, mothers/care givers of PWD’s, persons with mental health conditions and non-members of any organization of PWD’s”.
Mr Addy noted that to ensure effective utilization of the DACF, several institutions had joined forces to develop guidelines for the management and disbursement of the DACF for PWD’s.
He said the DACF intended to minimize poverty among PWD’s, particularly those outside the formal sector of employment and enhance the social image of individuals with disabilities through dignified labour.
Regarding tax relief for PWD’s, Mr Addy said it covered items that would make PWDs daily lives earlier, like walking sticks, hearing aids, wheelchairs, white canes, and laptop computers, among others.
Mr Richard Asare, the President, Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD), Western Region, added that the training organized by CePIL was timely as their members often had misunderstanding with the Assemblies regarding the DACF.
He said through the training, they had been educated extensively on the guidelines governing the funds disbursement, and emphasized transparency in the fund management by the assemblies to minimize arguments.
Mr Asare appealed to the members to exercise patience within their respective assemblies saying, “due to limited funds, it will take time for all members and non-members to benefit”.
Mr Daniel Okyere, President, GFD, Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality, said “we face challenges such as drafting letters for members to access the fund and seeking help from the assembly when we have difficulties”.
CePIL and its partners have enlightened us on this and many other topics, and we appreciate their effort”.
He said, “I thought government owed PWD’s two quarters, but l just learned from this training programme it actually five quarters.
We have planned that the various groups would meet their members and share the knowledge they have gained. We are willing to spend the entire day if necessary.”
CePIL is a non-partisan and Non-Governmental Organization dedicated to making justice accessible and affordable for the poor and marginalized communities and individuals.
It also advocates for justice and provides support for vulnerable communities negatively impacted by policies and actions.
GNA
Edited by Justina Paaga/Christian Akorlie