PWDS calls for speedy passage of LI to operationalize PWD Act passed in 2006

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Bolgatanga. Mr Awal Ahmed, a human rights and social Justice activist with Rural Initiatives for Self Empowerment Ghana, (RISE GHANA), a Bolgatanga based NGO has urged the President to use his first 100 days to ensure the passage of a Legislative Instrument to fully operationalize the Persons With Disability, PWD Act passed in 2006. This, he explained will bring an end to the gross violation of the provisions from the construction to health sectors with impunity. He has also called for the amendment of the disbursement procedure to make PWDs signatories to the three percent District Assembly Common Fund, DACF account. Mr Ahmed, who is also the Project Manager of RISE Ghana made the call in Bolgatanga where he also admonished the government under the leadership of president Mahama to commit itself and allocate adequate resources to the various special schools and rehabilitation centers (some of which have been closed down) located across the country. "PWDs have been coping with various forms of abuse and discrimination since the passage of PWD Act in 2006," he said and called for action to address issues bordering on issues that create an enabling environment for PWDSs. “I wish to use this occasion to speak up and demand increase promotion and advancement of disability rights from his Excellency, who have a mandate to promote, protect and fulfill our rights as contained in the 1992 Constitution and various Human Rights Instruments Ghana has ratified."He said. While congratulating the President, Mr John Dramani Mahama on his election to the high office of the country and his numerous support to PWDs such as the directive to increase the DACF allocation from 2 per cent to 3 per cent, he urged the president and his government and to commit resources to ensure a sustainable peace and development in the upper East Region focusing on youth-led initiatives. In a related development, the Polytechnic Teachers’ Association of Ghana (POTAG) has also extended a message of congratulations to the President, Mr John Dramani Mahama on his election and subsequent inauguration. In an interview with Mr Oswald Atiga, General Secretary of POTAG,he said the group while congratulating the President, would also like to take this opportunity to remind him of the strategic and forward thinking policy statement he made about turning Polytechnics into Technical Universities. He said "the association eagerly awaits and hopes this policy will be realized within the four years of your administration. We are ready and open for any kind of dialogue that will facilitate the quick implementation of this policy". -End- Writer’s email: benjamin.glover@graphic.com.gh