The disability movement in Ghana has expressed their anger
and disappointment on President Akufo Addo for failing to fulfill his promises
he made to them during the 2016 general elections as contain in the New
Patriotic Party’s (NPP) manifesto.
This was made known in a press statement issues by The Network of journalists for the
Promotion of the Rights Persons with Disabilities in Africa, (PROMOAFRICA) today,
13th February 2017 and signed by its President, Mr. Seth Amoah Kwaku
Addi, stating that “disability
movement in Ghana wish to express its alter disappointment in the government of
New Patriotic Party (NPP) led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo for
failing to fulfilled his manifesto promise of giving fair representation to
Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in his government”.
The
statement further laments, “PROMOAFRICA
is deeply worried, following the exclusion of PWDs from the list of ministerial
nominees that have been vetted and swear-in by the President without single PWDs as cabinet or substantive
minister”.
“So far, some appointments have been
made to occupy positions in the seat of government, while new ministries
have also been created in line with the development agenda of the current
government”.
PromoAfrica, made up
of journalists with the interest in championing the cause of persons with
disabilities in Africa with a membership of one hundred and five (105)
media personnel working in 100 media houses across Ghana, both in the print and
electronic media.
The
Network was formed by the Africa Decade Secretariat of Persons with
Disabilities in Dakar-Senegal on the 24th of April 2008 by
journalists attending a training workshop on the “UN Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities and the New Terminology Guide”. Locally it was launched on the 23rd
June 2008 by the current Chief of Staff, Mrs. Frema Opare.
The statement said President Akufo Addo has eroded the gains
Ghana has been able to achieve and displayed to the international communities
in the area of ability, competence and capabilities of Persons with
disabilities in Ghana.
According
to the statement, PROMOAFRICA have a firm
believe that, there are very educated and competent PWDs who are members of the
NPP who have the capacity to handle political positions.
“During the previous National
Democratic Congress (NDC) government, there was one minister of state, so we
expect that the NPP should, at least, maintain or improve upon that in line
with its promise on page 125 of its manifesto for 2016”.
The
statement added that “the
continuous sidelining of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) on political
appointments by present and previous NPP governments creates favorable
environment for social exclusion and participation in the development process
of the country” .
“Poverty
is not simply the lack of income; it is a denial of the fundamental freedom and
opportunity to develop as a human being. The elimination of poverty lies, in
large measure, in the creation of a just society in which all citizens have
equal opportunity to develop their full potential”.
“It is our vivid believes that, when
PWDs were given political appointments that they would be able to influence
policy decisions that would better the lots of disabled persons in Ghana”.
Source:
Seth Addi/TodayGhanaNews.com
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