MMDAs urged to support people with disability

Bekwai (Ash), Sept. 3, GNA – Mr Alfred Tabi Amponsah, Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Ghana Blind Union (GBU), has appealed to the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to comply with the government directive to support the disabled with two to five percent of their Common Fund.

This, he said, would help them to initiate development progammes to enhance their livelihood.

Mr Amponsah made the appeal at the Annual Convention of the GBU at Bekwai in the Bekwai Municipality in the Ashanti Region on Thursday.

The three-day event being attended by 100 delegates selected from the region was under the theme: “Having Access to Greater Opportunities through Computer Training”.

He said with globalization, it was important for the visually impaired persons to have access and knowledge in computer training and called on individuals and corporate bodies to assist to acquire such knowledge and skills.

The Chairman said disability was not inability therefore stressed on the need for philanthropists, churches and organizations to support disabled with scholarships towards the acquisition of formal education to enable them to make positive contributions to development.

Mr Noah Asante Manuh, Bekwai Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), in a speech read for him, urged the physically challenged to make use of their skills in seeking employment rather than begging for alms.

He said the Assembly was ready to support blind people financially to enable them to execute their development activities to enhance their living conditions.

Mr George S. Kyeremanteng, Secretary of the Ashanti Regional branch of the Union also expressed concern about the delay in the payment of disability allowances to blind teachers and called on the Ghana Education Service (GES) to expedite action to ensure prompt payment of the allowances.

Mr J. K. Andoh, a retired educationist, who chaired the function, said disabled could prove their capabilities of working harder and called on the public not to discriminate against them in employment opportunities.