Christiana Efua Quansah, the government appointee for persons with disabilities at the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, has reaffirmed the association’s strong commitment to advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities and ensuring adherence to the law.
She highlighted the urgent need for action, noting that many institutions and organizations openly violate the law without repercussions.
In a related development, the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly’s National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) is working on a comprehensive disaster mitigation plan tailored to the unique needs of persons with disabilities (PWDs) within the metropolis.
According to the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), public buildings must include disability-friendly facilities. However, many Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies have not complied.
To address this, NADMO has developed a disaster mitigation plan that considers the specific challenges faced by PWDs.
Emma Akosua Boafo, NADMO’s Public Relations Officer, presented the plan, which aims to create a collaborative framework involving key stakeholders, including the Department of Social Welfare and assembly members.
The plan includes developing a centralized database of individuals with disabilities to better inform decision-making and tailor initiatives to their needs.
Christiana Efua Quansah has reiterated her commitment to pushing for the amendment and enforcement of the Disabilities Act to ensure better support and inclusivity for persons with disabilities.
Christiana Efua Quansah emphasized that failure to comply with disability regulations will result in penalties and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
“Despite the Disability Act allowing a ten-year grace period for compliance, progress has been insufficient. We continue to push for an amendment to introduce mandatory prosecution for non-compliance,” she said.
“We also call on government institutions and organizations to prioritize accessibility and inclusivity by creating designated spaces for PWDs and constructing ramps that meet required standards.
Individuals needing assistance are encouraged to contact their local assemblies for support.”
In related news, during the second ordinary meeting of the first session of the ninth Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, Mayor Abdul Mumin Issah announced that GH¢150,000 has been allocated to procure equipment to support persons with disabilities in the metropolis.
“A significant allocation of the 150,000 will be dedicated to acquiring equipment and tools for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), in response to their specific requests.
These requests encompass a range of items, including deep freezers to enable the sale of ice water and generate income, as well as fufu pounding machines, corn mill machines, and other vital equipment.
We will procure and distribute these essential items to empower the PWDs and support their economic endeavors.”
