The Kwabre East Municipal Assembly have observed the International Day for Persons with Disability (IDPD) to emphasis on steps taken by civil society and the private sector to involve Disability persons in building a better society.

The annual program observed across the globe had it version in the Kwabre East organized under the auspices of the Social Welfare Directorate at the forecourt of the Assembly on Thursday, December 3, 2020, themed, “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 World”, aimed at promoting equal participation of persons with disabilities and how necessary it is to involve them in all aspects of society and development.

The Municipal Chief Executive, Honourable Osei Assibey Bonsu addressing the gathering at the program outlined the efforts put up by government to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities.

He reported on the Assembly’s support towards people with Disabilities and steps taken to merge them in paying their quota to national development through trade and other professions to avoid being redundant.

“The government has provided jobs for PWDs through its 50/50 employment concept here most members gain the opportunity to work at the various toll booths in the country. Again the president has increased the common fund by 50 per cent from 2 to 3 per cent among other interventions by the government during this COVID-19 era.

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“In the Kwabre East, this year alone the Assembly has supported 101 PWDs in a ceremony held on 4th September 2020.  The purpose of this kind gesture by the government is to alleviate poverty among all PWDs particularly those outside the formal sector of employment and to enhance their social image through dignified labour,” he added.

The Assembly supported 33 PWDs with items such as Deep Freezers, Pop Corn machines, Fufu pounding machines, Sewing Kits, Industrial Sewing machines, Hair Dresser kits, Wheel Chair and Pumping Machine plus cash and other incentives.

Honourable Osei Assibey Bonsu encouraged all beneficiaries to put into proper use of all the items received to make a living.

The Kwabre East Municipal Chairman for People with Disability, Mr Seidu Gyimah called on the government for the increment of disability fund to 5 per cent to better lives of members unemployed and also ensure the challenges borne out of the privatization of the country’s toll booths are addressed in order to keep members in the job.

He further urged Nana Akufo Addo to pass the amended disability bill together with the Legislative instrument in order to have a firm foundation to stand and fight for the rights of PWDs.

The Municipal Social Welfare Director, Madam Agnes Boakyewaa commended government’s effort to provide PWDs with trade items and assisting them with cash and prosthesis. She informed that lives have been changed with what the Assembly provided earlier and called for more.

"The items given to Person with Disabilities have had a transformation in their lives," she said.

"We have been able to witness some of them put them to use and indeed, we can testify to how it has been helpful to them. We believe if government keep on with this, there wouldn’t become a burden to their families and societies.

She encouraged that PWDs must be respected in every way by people and be involved in national development for the reason that they also play a key role in Ghana’s progress hence their existence.