Stigmatization against persons with disability a threat to national development - Wassa Amenfi East DCE

The district chief executive for Wassa Amenfi East in the Western Region, Hon. Helina Appiah has observed that observed that stigmatization against persons with disabilities is a threat to national development.

She said persons with disabilities form part of the overall talent pool in the country and should be also treated fairly in accessing social, economic and development opportunities.

to this end, she urged Ghanaians not to stigmatize them but rather find a sustainable means for them to be fit into the society.

She said this when the Leaders of Persons With Disability (PWD) Association in Wasa Akropong and its environs of Wasa Amenfi East in the Western Region on Wednesday, 7 March, 2018 organized intensive workshop for their Members which aimed at creating awareness on prominent issues and to safeguard their social wellbeing in the society as far as people with disability is concern.

Speaking to Rivers FM’s news anchor, Kaakyire Kwasi Afari, Hon Helina Appiah stated that the aim of the workshop is to provide guidelines concerning their monetary fund and how it is being distributed when released by the central government. She said, the disabled individual's share of the fund is not meant for social enjoyment but to establish lifetime developmental project to earn on daily basis.

Hon. Helina Appiah assured to provide technical and vocational training for the association members by way of providing them the requisite mechanism into Hairdressing, carpentry works and other recreational jobs for living from the 3% of the disabled fund. Also to ensure educational continuity for sector Mr. Gideon Sagoe, the Social service Subcommittee Chairman Hon. Korsah etc were present.

The occasion was embraced with high dignitaries including Nana Ankobia on behalf of the Wasa Amenfi Paramount chief, T3tr33t3 Okuamoah Sekyim ii as a chairman, the district chief executive Hon. Helina Ama Appiah. Others include; the district coordinating director, Mr. Edward Banson, the Social Welfare director.

The district coordinating director, Mr Edward Banson highlighting the disability act during the workshop stressed, how the disabled fund which always caused hull a balloon is being used, the duties of the various committees in the disabled association and the channels of communications between the various committees and the association members to ensure effective run of the association.

According to him, some of the funds are used to facilitate the association's activities. In his vivid accounts, after a meeting by the executives, sitting allowances are paid from their accounts, and, notwithstanding, payment of transportation on behalf of the association is another 'key' allocation of the fund.

He further said, as directed in accordance with the principles, instructed to reserve 10% for schools and training, 10% for medicals and assistance device are all parts of the allocation of their fund. Again, the association fund is used to purchase tools and equipment such as freezers, sewing machine, hair dryers to some beneficiaries of the disabled association members.

The members of the Persons With Disabilities 'jumped to the sky' with joy for an unprecedented workshop organized by their leaders to the association. They are therefore pleading to their executives to embark on the workshop at least once a month to help briefed with information’s, education and above all, to ensure unity amongst the members in the disabled association.