Accra Jan. 30, GNA - Osahene Offei Kwasi Agyeman IV, Chief of Akropong-Akwapim on Monday said institutions for the physically challenged should be provided with equipment that would enable them to train them to become self- dependent.

He said most of these institutions had the teachers but lacked the necessary machinery to facilitate teaching and learning. Osahene Agyeman IV made the remarks when the Dasani Initiative Foundation, a non governmental organization, and some traditional authorities presented a variety of office furniture; 10 metal and 20 wooden cabinets and a projector worth 300 million cedis to five schools at Akropong-Akwapim.

The schools were the Akropong School for the Blind; Presbyterian Primary School; Abiriw Presbyterian Primary School and the PTC Demonstration School all in Akropong.

Osahene Agyeman IV, who is also the Chairman of the Graphic Communications Group Board, said traditional authorities in Akropong-Akwapim and the entire citizenry were committed to promoting a programme on religion and education especially for the handicapped. "This is because any society, which failed to recognize the handicapped, fell short in terms of its developmental efforts and stressed the need to support such people."

Nana Agyeman IV, who is also the Chairman for the Foundation, commended the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) for providing the financial support for the consignment, saying that the Dasani Initiative in collaboration with foreign affiliates would continue to offer programmes geared at providing skills to all.

Mr Henry Ahiable, Headmaster of the Akropong School for the Blind, on behalf of the schools, lauded the exemplary role played by traditional rulers and appealed to other organizations to come to their aid. Mr Ahiable said his school was in need of Brails and software to enhance teaching and learning.