Confab on prejudices against physically challenged held in Kumasi
A three-day international conference to address discrimination, perceptions, stereotyping and prejudices against physically challenged persons has ended in Kumasi.
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The conference, on the theme: “Disability and inclusion in Africa: The role of assistive technology”, was organised by the Africa Network for Evidence to Action in Disability (AfriNEAD), in collaboration with the College of Health Sciences of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
It was designed to, among other things, address discrimination, change perceptions and combat stereotyping and prejudices.
It also took a look at assistive devices for the physically challenged in Africa, especially to facilitate their inclusiveness.
Speaking at the opening session, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr Simon Osei-Mensah, said the government would ensure that 50 per cent of those managing the country’s tollbooths were persons with disabilities (PWDs).
He said similarly, specific job contracts would be reserved for PWDs, women and others considered to be disadvantaged.
He said the move was in line with the government’s commitment to create an equitable and fair society in which all citizens would have a share in the country’s wealth and prosperity.
He said it would be achieved by establishing a well-funded, functioning welfare system which would address the needs of the weak, the marginalised, the vulnerable and the socially excluded.
Mr Osei-Mensah said the government would undertake a series of measures, including the amendment of the Disability Act to bring it in line with the UN Convention on Disability.
Assistive technology
He expressed optimism that with the advent of ICT and assistive technology, new hopes were emerging for PWDs with wider opportunities.
The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ms Otiko Afisa Djaba, who declared the conference open on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, urged the College of Engineering to link up with other colleges of KNUST to build assistive devices for both Ghana and Africa.
Interventions
She said the government was developing a framework to ensure that all existing buildings which did not provide facilities which were disability friendly would be asked to modify them.
She said the government was committed to ensuring that there was full inclusion of PWDs and ensuring that those of school age but were not in school would be admitted to school in September under the all-inclusion policy of Ghana.