MPs against practices, postures that limit persons with disabilities
Parliament has expressed worry about the existence of cultural practices and attitudinal postures which have led to the exclusion of persons with disabilities in the country in spite of the passage of the Persons with Disability Act (Act 715).
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Members of Parliament (MP) contributing to two statements made on the floor of the House on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities were unanimous in their decision that Ghana should work hard to break the economic, socio-cultural, attitudinal and physical barriers in homes and families, classrooms and workplaces, among others, to assist in making disability central in the development process.
In his statement, MP for Subin, Mr Isaac Osei, said the reputation of the country, as one which respected the human rights of its citizens, was challenged by its inability to formulate an all-encompassing policy framework to support persons with disabilities in the development process.
Access to public buildings
Mr Osei observed that many public schools and health facilities do not have adequate access for people with disabilities.
After a long period of inactivity, systems were established in 2011 for persons with disabilities to have access to three per cent of the District Assemblies Common Fund reserved for them.
But the MP stated that the information about the modalities of the fund was not widespread and the effect of that policy was still limited.
Mr Osei added that it was time for leaders of various communities to engage people with disabilities, learn more about their abilities and their fears so that "we can mainstream their activities".
Commendation
The MP commended the Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Dr Henry Seidu Daanaa, whose life, he said, had shown that there was no glass ceiling for people with disabilities when given the opportunity.
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He also mentioned Mr Richard Offei, the goalkeeper of the National Amputee Football team, and one Kwasi Kyei who operated from Asafo in Kumasi for rising above their disabilities to contribute towards national discourse and development.
Another statement
In another statement, MP for Krachi Nchumuru, Mr John Majisi, said with all the activities and political provisions, a large majority of persons with disabilities still faced various forms of discrimination and were unable to assert their rights.
"It is noted that there are still barriers and lack of opportunities to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the mainstream society," he observed.
Suggestions
Mr Majisi called for a national forum to draw a plan for the full implementation of the National Disability Law, 2006 (Act 715).
In addition, he said MPs should include disability-related programmes in their development initiatives and also serve as agents in the dissemination of Ghana's Disability Law.
Mr Majisi also suggested, among other things that the Ghana Federation of the Disabled should be capitated to strengthen it's organisational and institutional culture.