Members of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFDO) on Monday demonstrated in Accra to highlight their challenges and presented petitions to some government agencies.
The petition seeks to remind the government to address the infrastructure challenges confronting Person with Disabilities, including physical accessibility to all public places.
They were presented to the Ministries of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), Roads and Highways and Works and Housing (WH).
Clad in a white T-shirts with placard reading “Make public places accessible”; and “We need accessible environment, the petitions were initially received by the MoGCSP and WH who both gave an assurance of forwarding their concerns to the President.
Not satisfied with the response the PWD’s decided to forward their last petition to the Ministry of Works and Housing which supervises the construction of buildings but were, however, left disappointed after the ministry failed to accept the petition.
Reverend John Mufful, president of Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled told the Ghanaian Times in an interview that they were told by the staff of the ministry to climb the stair case by themselves and present the petitition themselves.
That he said was an insult to the federation, considering the challenges members of the group, including the physically challenged, the deaf, persons with albinism and the visually impaired face.
He expressed dissatisfaction at the manner the ministry treated them and called on the Chief of Staff to intervene.
According to him, the federation had earlier demanded from the ministry to remove barriers to physical accessibility of all the government structures to enable all persons with disability have access to public facilities without or minimal assistance.
“As the sector ministry it must be their utmost responsibility to ensure that all Ministries, Agencies and Departments and Agencies adhere to the provisions of the PWD Act, 2006,” he said.
Rev. Mufful said many buildings, roads and public facilities were being constructed in the country without recourse to the law on accessibility.
Speaking on the way forward, President of the GFDO, Mr Yaw Ofori Debrah said the federation would seek legal advice from lawyers.
By BENEDICTA GYIMAAH FOLLEY
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