It has been Thirteen years since the Disability Act 2006, Act 715 was passed, however persons with disabilities in Ghana are yet to feel the full implementation of the Act.
It is sad to observe that the glamour and high hopes that surrounded Ghana’s parliament enactment of Act 715 had begun to shrink.
The Act which covers key thematic provisions such as rights, accessibility, employment, transport, health and education for persons with disabilities is yet to gain concrete realization in the country.
According to the head of Communication of Ghana federation of Disability organization, Adam Abdul Wahab, the unbearable challenges for which the provisions were made, persist in the country, adding that Persons with physical disability still have to be carried to access storey buildings without an elevator or a rump among others constraints.
Adam Abdul Wahab made this know at a media briefing organized by the Ghana federation of disability organization to share their findings on the right of sexual reproductive health among PWDs in the country.
He lamented that, leaders in this country were only committed to beautiful laws; however implementation had been a major barrier especially for PWDs in the country.
Mr. Wahab also said women with disabilities were faced with challenges in accessing health facility in the country. He said the country therefore must prioritize the health needs of every group in the country including persons with disabilities.
‘’There is the need for Government of Ghana to expedite action on a review of the Persons with Disability Act (Act 715, 2006) to comply with the United Nation Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and be able to address all critical issues affecting Persons with disabilities and also ensure its effective implementation to enable all building comply with the provision.’ he stated.
‘’It is also important for stakeholders in the health sector in the country to also involved PWDs in their health programs , to address the challenges PWDs go through at the various health facilities’’ . Adam A wahab added
Source: Diamondfmonline.com/ Alhassan Yakubu
