Kumasi, Feb. 12, GNA - The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Kofi Opoku-Manu, has directed Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in the region to see to it that public buildings are made disabled-friendly. He said there was the need for both government and private sector to ensure that public buildings and structures are made accessible to the physically challenged.

Mr Opoku-Manu was speaking at the maiden anniversary celebration of the Ghana Union of Physically Disabled Workers at the Samaritan Village in Kumasi on Friday. Established about 14 years ago, the union seeks to fight the social, economic and physical injustices to the disabled in society. It has over 600 members nationwide, who are mainly in public sector employment. "Challenges Facing the Physically Disabled Worker in the Working Environment - the Way Forward" was the theme for the two-day celebration, which would create a platform for the over 50 delegates to deliberate on the United Nation's (UN) Convention on Disabilities and the Disability Act (Act 715).

Mr Opoku-Manu reminded businesses to adhere to the labour law that demands that they reserve reasonable percentage of the workforce for the disabled persons.

He said as a society it was important to have attitudinal change to enable the physically challenged to fully participate in socio- economic activities to improve their situation. Mr Opoku-Manu encouraged the union to team up with other civil society organizations to educate the public about disability issues and remove any negative perceptions. Mr Joseph Adu-Boampong, National President of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled (GSPD), described the union as an important wing of the society that had been dealing with labour issues. He appealed to government to come out with details of the special incentives it had planned to give to employers, who engaged persons with disabilities.

Mr Khalid Bashiru, National Chairman of the Union, said they would soon establish a welfare fund for members. He asked for the introduction of free education for people with disability at all levels of education. 12 Feb. 10