PWDs Demand Accessible Buildings and Transport
The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) has called on government and private institutions to make public buildings and transport systems accessible to persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The call follows the presentation of cash grants, start-up kits, educational support and working tools to 57 PWDs by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to help them establish sustainable livelihoods.
Speaking at a presentation ceremony, the Kumasi Metropolitan Chairman of the GFD, Francis Lare, said many public and private facilities remain inaccessible to PWDs, limiting their movement and participation in economic activities.
He noted that several government institutions, including hospitals, schools, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and ministries, lack essential disability-friendly features such as ramps, elevators and other accessibility structures.
Mr. Lare said while the support provided by government and philanthropists to PWDs is commendable, true empowerment must go beyond financial assistance to include equal access to public infrastructure and transportation systems.
He added that accessing commercial vehicles, including government-operated buses, remains a major challenge for persons with mobility difficulties.
The GFD official appealed to transport operators and the Ministry of Transport to modify buses, terminals and other transport facilities to better accommodate PWDs.
The beneficiaries received various items, including chest freezers, deep freezers, industrial and hand sewing machines, while others received cash ranging between GH¢5,000 and GH¢7,000 to establish businesses.
The support, provided under the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) Disability Programme, was distributed through the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development to help beneficiaries achieve economic independence and contribute to national development.
Mr. Lare said monitoring mechanisms would be implemented to ensure the grants and start-up packages are used for their intended purposes, which would encourage further support for PWDs.
Presenting the items, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) for Kumasi, Richard Ofori Agyemang Boadi, said the increased support followed President John Dramani Mahama’s directive to raise the DACF allocation for PWDs from 3% to 5%.
He explained that the increase was aimed at promoting inclusion and enabling PWDs to become self-reliant rather than depending on others for survival.
Mr. Agyemang urged beneficiaries to invest the support in sustainable ventures that would improve their incomes and provide long-term benefits for themselves and their families.
Meanwhile, Acting Convener for Social Services at KMA, Robert Aikins, said the items were selected based on the specific needs of beneficiaries after an assessment process.
He added that an audit team had been established to monitor the use of the items and warned that sanctions would be applied against beneficiaries who misuse the support.
