Kumasi, April 2, GNA - A five-day national disability workshop to equip participants with requisite skills and knowledge in various sporting disciplines for over 100 men and women opened in Kumasi on Monday.
The workshop is being organized jointly by the Danish Sports Organisation of the Disabled (DSOD) and the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled (GSDP).
The Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene in a speech read on his behalf said he has the hope that the workshop would not only equip the participants with skills but would also make them develop the right viewpoint, broad vision and worthy goals and unselfish attitudes to make them profitably utilize their time.
He urged them to coordinate their personal responsibilities to uplift their spiritual and material lives and hoped the workshop would also motivate them to participate and contribute their quota to national development.
Mr Emmanuel Asamoah Owusu-Ansah, Ashanti Regional Minister said the government was committed to the welfare and survival of persons with disability, hence the passing of the Disability Law by Parliament. He said that there was the need to develop and ensure that disabled persons were given equal opportunities to participate fully in recreational and sporting activities.
The Regional Minister said that about 10 per cent of the people were afflicted with various disabilities and there was therefore the nee to bring them together and give them the needed rehabilitation and training programmes to develop their capabilities to contribute meaningfully to societal needs.
Madam Patricia Appiagyei, Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive said the Assembly was solidly behind them and would support them to facilities their activities at all levels.
She urged them to take the course seriously to enhance their physical development and growth.
Mr Abdul Aziz Mohammed, National Chairman of the GSPD commended the people and government of Denmark for their continued support to the development of disabled sports in Ghana,
He called on the government, corporate bodies, and philanthropists to invest in disability sports in the country and expressed the Society's gratefulness to Management of Ghana Social Club for offering their facilities and premises for their use.
Mr Ole Ansbjerg, Sports Consultant of DSOD said that disability sports was highly developed in Ghana and urged the participants to take inspiration the success chalked and work hard to maintain the standard. He said he hoped that they would not keep what they learnt at the workshop to themselves but would share it with their colleagues who have not had the opportunity to participate in the workshop.
He presented some gifts to Mr Chaoki El Aridi, Manager of Ghana Social Club for the support given to persons with Disabilities and Mr Yaw Amakye, acting president of GSPD for his efforts. Participants would be taken through practical training and theoretical lectures in Amputee soccer, Athletics, Basket-ball and Table Tennis. 02 April 07
