Accra (Greater Accra) 3rd July '99

Mrs Theresa Ameley Tagoe, Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma South, on Friday urged government to come out with data on persons with disabilities.

Making a statement in Parliament, Mrs. Tagoe pointed out that the lack of data makes it difficult for government to assess the actual situation of the disabled in society.

She expressed concern about the way some "insensitive employers" discriminate against disabled persons, though they are skilful, and called for strict enforcement of the Labour Regulations of 1969 on the employment of disabled persons.

Mrs. Tagoe dismissed the claim that persons with disabilities are lazy and inefficient, and urged employers who flout the Regulations with impunity to change their attitude.

"If a survey were conducted in all our establishments today, it would be revealed that in both private and public institutions, the quota of disabled persons employed is far below what is required by the Labour Regulations of 1969."

Mrs. Tagoe suggested that disabled persons with potentials must be given the opportunity to serve in district assemblies, where they can become role models for the rest of society.

She called for the putting in place of a loan scheme to offer financial assistance to disabled persons who pass out of rehabilitation centres, so that they can establish their own businesses.

The MP urged Ghanaians to change their negative attitudes towards people with disabilities and see them as fellow citizens with the potential to fully participate in national development.

Associating herself with the statement, Mrs. Ama Benyiwa-Doe, Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Welfare and MP for Gomoa West, regretted that most of the time society leaves the responsibility of catering for the disabled solely to government.

She reminded Ghanaians that it should be the concerted effort of all and sundry to address the problem of people with disabilities within the society.

Dr Francis Osafo-Mensah, NPP-Mpraeso, urged the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare to focus attention on the mentally handicapped by providing financial support for their families.

Mr Ebenezer Kobina Fosu, NDC-Asikuma/Odoben/Brakwa, stressed the need for the ministry to expedite work on the proposed legislation on the disabled which, in his opinion, has been on the drawing board for long. This will help address the problems of the disabled effectively.