Contractors urged to make edifices accessible to the disabled

Accra, Feb. 18, GNA - Mr. Christopher Kisseih, President of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled, has urged real estate developers, contractors and government agencies to make both residential and official buildings accessible to people with disabilities.

"The architectural designs for most of our buildings and public places are inaccessible and thus limit the use of wheel chairs and other walking aids" he added.

Mr. Kisseih made the appealed at a presentation of 500 wheel chairs donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, through the Ministry of Manpower Development and Employment on Wednesday. The presentation is the beginning of a nation-wide programme of the Church in partnership with a US-based Wheel Chairs Foundation, a non-governmental organisation.

He expressed regret that even though mobility aids were very important for persons with physical disabilities, it was very difficult to get access to them or too expensive for such people to acquire.

"This restricts our movement and makes it difficult for us to participate effectively in socio-economic activities, thereby rendering us poor and vulnerable in society," he said.

Mr. Kisseih called on parliament not to discriminate in passing the Disability Bill into law, adding that, "we are part of the citizenry and all effort must be made to enable us have access to the fundamental human rights enjoyed by our fellow able persons," he stressed. Mr. Yaw Barimah, Minister of Manpower Development and Employment, said the problem with of disability was a major concern of the government, adding that policies and activities would be implemented towards the socio-economic integration and employment of the disabled. He commended the Church for meeting the spiritual needs of its members and providing for the physical, social and emotional needs of others.