Accra, Jan.27, GNA- Cabinet has suggested administrative measures to address concerns of the disabled in society until the passage of a Bill on Disability was passed, Mr. Yaw Barima, Minister of Manpower, Development and Employment has said.
He said administratively, all new public buildings being constructed are to ensure access facilities for the disabled while the new Labour law had made provisions for special allowances for disabled employees.
Mr. Barima said this when he received a resolution from the Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD) on the proposed draft disability policy.
The Disabled complained that the policy was initiated 12 years ago but due to its complexities and other financial implications, it had not been implemented.
Carrying placards some of which read ” We are also citizens of Ghana respect our rights”, Pass disability bill now”, the about 50 disabled demonstrated from the Ghana Rehabilitation Centre through the National Theatre to the Ministry where the presented their petition to the sector Minister.
Mr. Charles Appiagyei, President of GFD urged Parliament to enact the bill on the rights of persons with disabilities within six months. He urged government to as matter of urgency to set up a national council on disability and implement the national disability policy. The federation he said bemoaned the fact that over the past 12 years no single law on disability has been passed in the life of three parliaments.
Mr. Barima noted that though cabinet sympathised with the disabled, since the problems are cumulative due to about four decades of non-action, it would take some time to overcome and urged them to exercise restraint.
He said government would not relent to ensure that minorities are not discriminated against as result of their disabilities. He however advised that they should not use their disability as a lever of persuasion to the detriment of others.
Mr. Barima said it would be unfortunate and unfair to twist facts to the advantage of others to the detriment of the larger society. The Minister expressed surprise that even though there was a scheduled meeting between his Deputy with the GFD on Thursday, they chose to go on demonstration two days before the meeting. The demonstrators later left the ministry to parliament to present a petition to the leadership of the House.
Source: GhanaWeb
