The Ghana Building Code that was launched last month
Deputy Works and Housing Minister Eugene Boakye Antwi has government will rely on the newly launched Ghana building code to solve issues of accessibility to public infrastructures for Persons Living with Disabilities (PWD) in the country.
According to him, government is doing all it can to address issues confronting Persons Living with Disabilities, saying, "All the concerns raised will be fully addressed."
“Since independence, this country has not had a building code, but fortunately some weeks back, the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia launched Ghana’s first building code which is going to address accessibility issues and what have you,” the Minister said Wednesday.
The Ghana Building Code that was launched last month is expected to among other things, regulate the country’s building and construction industry.
The 1,700-page document covers all essential areas necessary for the smooth and safe operation of the building and construction industry.
It sets out requirements and recommendations for efficiency standards for residential and non-residential buildings and covers planning, management and practices in the construction of buildings.
Members of the Federation embarked on a peaceful walk on Monday, December 3, 2018 to present a petition to the Ministry as part of activities marking the celebration of International Day of Disabled Persons.
However, there was no one available at the Ministry in the position to receive their petition; something the PWDs were not happy about.
But the Deputy Minister on Wednesday invited the Federation for a meeting to deliberate on issues concerning them and to also allow them the opportunity to present the petition.
Receiving the petition, Mr. Boakye Antwi assured them of government’s commitment towards addressing their concerns.
He apologized on behalf of the ministry for their absence to receive the petition on Monday.
The members of the Federation led by President of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled, Rev. John Mefful lamented government’s neglect of PWDs in the country.
“Pursuant to Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Right of Persons Living with Disability and the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 Act 715."
“We Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations demand that your ministry considers implementing its responsibility of removing barriers to physical accessibility to enable all people with disability to have access to public facilities and infrastructure, without or with minimal assistance."
“It should be deemed your utmost responsibility to ensure that all road infrastructure constructed in Ghana adhere to the provision of the above mentioned legislation. Persons with disability deem this as unfair and discriminatory. We will no longer accept any tokenism. Accessibility for Persons with Disability is a right, the excuses are too much,” Rev. Mefful emphasized.
