Koforidua, Dec. 27, GNA- The Chairman of the New Juaben Branch of the Eastern Regional Disability Network, Mr Sampson Kofi Asare, has commended President Kufour for the government's decision to pass the Persons With Disability Act.

He said by that singular act, the disable in Ghana now have "a legal and constitutional document that make them have equal opportunities as other able bodied Ghanaians".

Mr Asare also extended his gratitude to the New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, Nana Adjei Boateng, for showing much concern about the welfare of people with disabilities in the Municipality. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) after leading the Network members in a clean-up exercise at Koforidua as part of activities to mark this year's International Disabled Day, Mr Asare stressed the need for persons with disabilities to take advantage of the opportunities being created to improve upon their lot.

He said it was by enhancing their capacity especially on the educational front that the physically challenged persons could help dispel wildly held beliefs that disability was inability, since the disabled could also contribute effectively to productivity.

Mr Asare assured members that the network, which is an amalgamation of the various disabled groups in the municipality, would serve as a forum to fight for their needs and seek action from the government. Miss Lucy Ofori Agyemang, the Municipal Director of the Department of Social Welfare, said with the passage of the bill, the government has practically demonstrated its concern for the disabled in Ghana. She said because rights go with responsibilities, it was important for the disabled to prove themselves worthy citizens.