‘Appoint 10% qualified PWDs to high positions’

Government has urged to appoint at least ten per cent of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) to government appointed positions to justify the fact that ‘disability is not inability’.

Miss Mahamadu Sirina, Sunyani Municipal branch Chairman of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled also urged members of the Federation to demonstrate a new attitude to encourage progress towards disability issues.

“We need action rather than words to address our challenges so that we can be more productive in the society”.

Ms Sirina said this at a programme organised by the GFD on the theme: “Inclusive Matter: Access and Empowerment of People of all Abilities” which was attended by over 60 members of the Federation within the Sunyani Municipality.

Members of the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD), Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled (GSPD) and the Ghana Blind Union (GBU) all patronized the programme

She cautioned members not to allow politicians to use them for their political whims and caprices and therefore appealed to government and managements of both public and private sector employable entities “to let their net for qualified employees cover the physically-challenged also, just as their able-bodied brothers and sisters, without any discrimination”.

Miss Sirina, a professional teacher at the Islamic Basic School at New Dormaa, also pleaded with the government to ensure that PWDs employees in government departments, agencies and institutions were accommodated near their work places, saying "in case of no nearby accommodation, a means of transport must be provided to those staying far from their places of work to make movement easier and comfortable for them."

"There is the need for employment of sign language interpreters at all public institutions, especially at the municipal and district assemblies to assist their speech and hearing impaired colleagues not only at assembly meetings but also to enable them convey whatever message they have to the authorities."

Mr. Eric Adu, Sunyani Municipal Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) commenting on the PWDs Act 715 of 2006 said even though the 1992 Fourth Republican Constitution of Ghana was clear on benefits for members of the Federation, implementation of those benefits had remained a “white elephant”.

Mr. Adu noted, however, that the non-implementation of many aspects of those provision contained in the Act could be attributed to inadequate funding on the part of the government.

He therefore advised the leadership of the Federation to confer with the government so that the most essential facilities like pedestrian walk ways, assistive devices like white cane, hearing and visually impaired aids, wheel chairs, crutches and other environmentally-friendly amenities would be provided for them.