Voice-Ghana, a Disability-Interest Advocacy Group is seeking a pledge from aspiring parliamentarians that on becoming Members of Parliament, they would initiate disability-focused statutes in parliament.

A key demand put on the table at a meeting with representatives of political parties in the Agotime-Ziope and Adaklu constituencies was that parliamentarians ensured “health centres in their areas have at least a sign language interpreter”.

Mr. Francis Asong, Director, Voice- Ghana, told the interactive meeting that currently people with hearing impairment dreaded going to health facilities when sick.

He called on the politicians to liaise with the “appropriate authorities including Ministry of Health and district directorates of health services to make health facilities and services more accessible to the disabled”.

Mr. Asong said these concerns were those voiced at the “deliberative forum for persons with disabilities in the Agotime-Ziope and Adaklu districts”.

Other concerns were that MPs champion the use of part of the District Assemblies Common Fund set aside for the disabled for corrective surgeries, prosthetic, orthopaedic and physiotherapy services and the acquisition of vocational skills.

The forum also wanted the issue of the disabled being exempted from paying health insurance registration and renewal fees tabled in parliament, district assembly bylaws for totally free basic education for children with disability, inclusion in pro-poor policies and recruitment into the National Youth Employment Programme.

Another concern was the disregard for the disabled in the design of public toilets and boreholes.