Regional News of Thursday, 11 November 2004

Source: GNA

A Centre for the Disabled inaugurated at Techiman

Techiman (B/A), Nov. 11, GNA- A training centre estimated at 20.5 million cedis for the physically disabled has been inaugurated at Techiman in Brong Ahafo.

The Techiman Municipal Assembly and the Society for the Disabled contributed two million cedis with Help Ghana Foundation (HGF) an NGO in Netherlands funding the remaining 18.5 million cedis. Inaugurating the centre, Madam Victoria Kinful, National Secretary of Ghana Society of the physically disabled, said the centre would afford the disabled persons to acquire skills, and improve their living conditions.

Madam Kinful noted that since training of human resources reduces poverty, it was important for members to put the facility into good use.

She urged parents with disabled children not to consider them as social misfit and outcast but rather bring them to the centre to acquire productive skills.

Mr Emmanuel Kofi Gyan, Chairman of Techiman Municipal branch of the Ghana Society of the physically disabled, said the society had an objective of bringing together people with physically disabilities to find lasting solutions to their problems.

He asked other physically disabled persons who considers getting involved in the learning of lucrative jobs to do so. Mr Gyan expressed gratitude to the NGO for the facility and stressed the need for it to extend such assistance to their counterparts in other parts of the country.

Nana Twum Brempong, Twafohene of the Techiman Traditional area who presided, on behalf of the Omanhene, Oseadeayo Ameyaw-Akumfi called on disabled persons to make good use of the centre.