Member of Parliament for Ablekuma West, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has urged the government to institute a quota system for employing People With Disabilities (PWDs) in the public sector.
She also wants the government to provide tax and some other incentives for the private sector to employ more qualified PWDs.
“They beg for a living not because they want to but because they have no other means for sustenance. They deserve the right to live and work in dignity and we can do more improve the living conditions of our brethren who live with disability”, she noted.
In her view, despite the appointment of Mr. Henry Seidu Daana as Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, the proportion of persons with disability in key public offices remains low.
The Ablekuma West legislator made this observation on the floor of Parliament on Thursday to mark the 10th anniversary of the passage of the Persons With Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715).
June 23 is celebrated annually to assess the status of implementation of the Persons With Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), promote the rights of persons with disability, create awareness about their peculiar needs, and discourage the discrimination and social stigmatization that they suffer daily.
The Day also serves as a platform to assess the impact of the Disability law in the lives of persons with disability (PWD) and also draw the attention of government and the people of Ghana to the gaps and lapses in the implementation of provisions therein.
Commenting further, Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful also expressed worry about the non complaint of Act 715 which has resulted in several buildings, roads and recreational facilities not been accessible to persons with disability.
“Several buildings, roads and recreational facilities have been made complaint with these provisions; however, the vast majority is not accessible to persons with disability and do not have ramps or lift access. Unfortunately, all the new community day schools being constructed are not complaint with the accessibility provisions of Act 715 despite being multistory buildings. Action must be taken immediately to ensure that children with disability can safely access their classrooms and other facilities just like their abled counterparts”.
Mrs. Owusu-Ekuful is convinced that the situation could be minimized if government ratifies the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability.
She also believes that a little effort by Ghanaians to empower PWDs with the needed skills, training and opportunities would also help address the issue.
Minister for Education, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman who was present during the presentation debunked the claims made the Ablekuma West legislator about the Community Day School.
She told the House that all the facilities nationwide are friendly to PWDs.
