Wa, Jan. 31, GNA - The Ghana National Trust Fund, through the Department of Social Welfare on Friday presented items valued at 15 million cedis to 10 persons with disabilities in the Upper West Region to enable them to generate income and become self-reliant. The items, which were made up of both foot and hand sewing machines and accessories leather works equipment, dressmaking kit were donated as part of government's policy to create jobs for many citizens, irrespective of ethnic or physical status.
Presenting the items to the beneficiaries who were selected from all the five districts of the region, Mr. Sahanun Mogtari, Upper West Regional Minister said the government would absorb every well trained Ghanaian into the public sector depending on ability and not based on physical fitness.
He commended the Ghana National Trust Fund for their support and called on other philanthrophic organisation to contribute meaningfully towards the development of the physically challenged.
Mr. Mogtari also called on parents and relatives of persons with disabilities to train them on trades that would make them lives independent lives.
The Regional Minister renewed the call on Architects and Consultants to make provisions for persons with disabilities during constructional works to facilitate their movement, particularly on storey buildings.
Mr. Lawrence Azam, Regional Director of Department of Social Welfare said since 1998 about 40 persons with disabilities have so far benefited from the training programmes and materials and called on other benevolent organisations to support them out of abject poverty.
He said workers of Social Welfare have resolved to embark on an intensive education programme on National Health Insurance Scheme, Domestic Violence and female genital mutilation, which could mar smooth progress of the country if not properly handled.
Mr. Azam pledged his outfit's support to fight discrimination against persons with disabilities, injustice and other attitudes and behaviours that create disunity in communities.
