Able persons hijack PWD governing board – GFD

The Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD) has said that persons without disability have taken control of the governing board of National Council on Persons With Disability (PWDs), thus, relegating them to the background.

The governing board has 13 members appointed from relevant agencies, departments and organizations but, GFD said the board as at now has only 23 per cent  PWDs members.

Mr Alexander Bankole Williams, project officer of GFD told journalists at a press briefing on Wednesday that, that was not the way to enhance the visibility and well-being of PWDs, if their welfare was to be enhanced.

“To enhance the visibility and well-being of PWDs, having such a small number of our members on the board lives much to be desired,” he said.

The GFD also raised concerns over government failure to operationalise PWDs act (Act 715, 2006) by putting in place legislative instrument that would provide clear guidelines for its effective implementation.

Mr Williams said the moratorium for the Act would expire on August 10, 2016; albeit, no provision had been made for PWDs at car parks, market places, transport services and public buildings.

He said Civil Aviation Authority was violating the fundamental human rights of their members, and for example, blind persons without guard are not allowed to enplane.

He further said the PWDs act was inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on Rights of PWDs, lacked clarity and among other vital provisions and did not contain punitive measures.

“Since the Act is lacking the necessary depth for protecting disability rights, it is essential the Executive and Parliament pause a while, do the necessary audit of the Act and introduce the right legislative framework,” Mr Williams said.

Source: GNA