By Abigail Darko
The Eastern Regional Branch of the Ghana Federation of Disability, GFD-ER, as part of marking this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities, has organised a programme in Koforidua, the Eastern Regional capital, to motivate and encourage PWDs to achieve their goals in life.
The programme was on the theme “United in Action to Rescue and Achieve the SDGs for, with, and by Persons with Disabilities”.
According to statistics, about 15 percent of people worldwide are disabled and likely to face social exclusion, including socio-economic factors like poverty, poor access to healthcare, unemployment, and lack of formal education.
In light of this, the United Nations instituted the International Day of Disability on December 3, 2006, to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in society and raise awareness of their situation politically, socially, economically, and culturally.
The New Juaben South Municipal Chief Executive, Isaac Appau-Gyasi, assured the persons with disabilities of government’s continuous effort to eliminate challenges they face through the implementation of policies that will help achieve Sustainable Development Goal 10, which seeks to reduce inequalities.
He stressed the need for them to be independent, noting that unity in the various physically challenged groups will avoid misunderstandings, bitterness and other issues that bring setbacks in their lives while promoting national development.
The Eastern Regional President for Ghana Federation of Disability, GFD, Stephen Abrokwa noted that the day is marked every year to celebrate PWDs who have excelled in various fields and also motivate and encourage others to achieve their dreams despite the challenges.
He outlined how the celebration of the day will benefit people with disability and the need to join the federation.
The Eastern Regional Director for Social Welfare, Deborah Dadzie Koblah, noted that conscious efforts should be made for physically challenged persons to help increase opportunities for them and called for persons with disabilities to be involved in the process of policy making and implementation in order for them to contribute effectively to the development of the country.
A number of the physically challenged persons complained about how they were being treated at the various health facilities due to their condition.
In response, a representative of the Regional Health Director, Doris Darkwa, admitted to the issues raised but noted that such acts are few and stated that there are also health practitioners who are equally good and well mannered.
