Mrs. Otiko Afisa Djaba, Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, has stated that government was committed to removing the legal barriers to protect and include Persons with Disability (PWDs) in Ghana.
She said although legal and policy frameworks played vital roles in ensuring the protection of persons with disability, interactions with the Federation of Disability Organisations had revealed several challenges facing their members, including legal challenges.
Speaking at the first National Dialogue with Persons with Disability organised by the Ministry in Accra, Mrs Djaba said government would amend the Persons with Disability Act (Act 715), to bring it in line with the UN Convention on Disability.
Government, she noted, would also ensure the passage of the required legislative instruments to the Mental Health Act (Act 846), which was passed, in 2012 as well as the Persons with Disability Act (Act 715), in order to operationalise the laws.
She stressed the importance of investing in the creation of an enabling environment for PWDs to realise their full potential, and contributing to the development of the nation.
“I believe that every individual deserves a chance to discover their potential, receive the necessary support to develop that potential and ultimately use their potential to support the development of our dear nation, Ghana,” she stated.
Mrs Djaba also noted that government would empower the necessary institutions to ensure the proper implementation of laws and interventions aimed at promoting and protecting the rights of PWDs, including the National Council on Persons with Disability (NCPD).
“It will also implement the three percent increase in the District Assemblies Common Fund allocations to persons with disability which was announced in 2012 but remained unimplemented. The amount will be disbursed through decentralised district and regional office of the NCPD.”
She said Government would also address issues of access to education and employment for people with disability raised by the leadership of the Federation of Persons with Disability.
In line with this, she said the Ministry would hold a career fair in March to showcase employment and training opportunities for PWDs as well as to solicit support from corporate institutions for them.
“…we will therefore work towards the implementation of equal employment opportunities and advocate the appointment of PWDs into public office”.
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