GFD condemns alleged physical attack on blind employee

Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD), has called on President John Dramani Mahama to launch investigation into an alleged physical assault on a visually impaired worker of Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA).

The Federation, in a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, said a thorough investigation into the matter is necessary and for sanctions to be applied if the assault is proven to be true.

Mr Jacob Atule Adongo was alleged to have been physically attacked by Mr Kobby Acheampong, his former GYEEDA boss, at the office after committing an error.

Mr Acheampong has denied the charges.

The President of the Federation Mr Yaw Ofori-Debrah said the alleged attack if proven would be in violation of the Ghana’s disability Act and the United Nations convention on the rights of persons with disability.

Article 15(2) of the convention states interalia that “States Parties shall take all effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent persons with disabilities, on an equal basis with others, from being subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.

The Federation reminded government functionaries and employers that Ghana signed the UN convention in 2007 and ratified it and the optional protocol in 2012 and therefore one of the State Parties referred to in the Article 15(2) of the Convention