Ministry explores employment avenues for PWDs

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Communications on Wednesday announced the Ministry’s intent to embark on a project to create employment opportunities for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

The Minister upon deliberation with the National Council for Persons With Disabilities, therefore, announced the formation of a seven member committee to find ways of achieving the aim.

Mr Iddrisu explained that the Board of the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communication (GIFEC), a fund used to promote the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) had budgeted GH¢600,000 for the purpose.

At a meeting to discuss the project with the National Council for the PWDs, the Minister said the money could be used to construct telecommunication centres where such people could sell telecom and other ICT products to earn them some income.

He said the fund would also explore ways of promoting access to ICT for persons with disabilities and suggested that ICT centres should be constructed for the disabled in all regions.

The International Telecommunications Union has passed a resolution which requires member states to adopt appropriate measures to provide access for PWDs on an equal basis with others in the use of ICT services such as the internet.

Mr Duut Bonchel Abdulai, Executive Secretary of the National Council for Persons with Disability, lauded the initiative by the Ministry and said it was an opportunity that the Council had been looking for, especially the accessibility of the ICT for those people.

Dr Bashiru Koray, Board Member of the National Council for Persons With Disabilities, noted that it was a significant step that the Ministry had taken, and called for the training of the people so that many more members could benefit from the venture.

Source: GNA