Book on disability rights law lunched

Accra, May 5, GNA - Mr. Sam Okudzeto, Chairman of the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative International Advisory Commission, on Monday said Ghana's laws recognised and guaranteed the rights of the disabled yet the provisions offered them very little protection given the major disparity between them and the able.

"Ghanaians with disabilities are generally confronted with a lot of challenges such as low unemployment rates, poor access to public facilities, discrimination in housing and transport they constitute a significant proportion of destitute and beggars on our streets" he said. Mr. Okudzeto, who speaking at the lunch of the simplified version of the disability rights law in Ghana, said the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative was committed to promoting a better understanding of the law and making it more accessible to majority of the people. "We therefore decided with the assistance of the Canadian International Agency (CIDA) to publish the simplified version of the law as well as the UN guidelines for the treatment of persons with disability" he said.

Mr. Okudzeto said their objective was to create awareness about the existence of the law and to ensure its effective implementation. "We believe that when the beneficiaries of these laws are informed of its provisions, they will demand the services which they are rightfully entitled to", Mr. Okudzeto said. Nii Tettey Okpe II, Amamole Mantse and Acting President, Ga West Municipal Chiefs Association lauded the initiative to simplify the law for the better understanding by all and to set a new agenda for various stakeholders of society.

Mr. Darren Schemmer, Canadian High Commissioner said the lunch signified a great step for disability in the country and was hopeful that the book would help educate the whole nation about Rights. The new law places emphasis on certain key rights which should be enjoyed by persons with disability and the need for the general public to respect those rights.

These include the right to family life and the right to participate in social, creative or recreational activities, the prohibition of differential treatment for residential purposes, no exploitation, abuse, discrimination or disrespect to persons with disability. 5 May 2008