Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)in New Juaben South Municipality in Eastern Region are appealing to government to include them in the implementation of the 24-hour economy policy to reduce the alarming unemployment rate among them.
They argue that unemployment among persons with disabilities remains unacceptably high, despite existing laws and ratification of international conventions enjoining the state to provide equal job opportunities.
According to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, persons with disabilities make up about 8 percent of Ghana’s population — representing over 2 million individuals.
The United Nations estimates that between 80 to 90 percent of working -age PWDs in developing countries including Ghana, are without employment.
Ghana has ratified the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities , and passed persons with disabilities Act, 2006 (Act 715) , aimed at eliminating employment discrimination and promoting equal job opportunities.
David Kwabena Torsutsey, Chairman of Persons with Disabilities in New Juaben South says the 24 hour economy policy must be inclusive to provide employment to equally qualified disable individuals especially work that requires sit-down .
“We the persons living with disabilities can do any work under the 24 -hour economy. We the persons with disabilities are very comfortable with sit-down kind of work. If you ask a person with disability to sit for 24-hours he can do that exactly without moving an inch. We the disable are more productive at office work because we hardly move out to roam I town or even buy food. So for us, any job opportunity in the policy that involves sit -down must be given to qualified persons with disabilities to do so we also get employed to reduce our dependency”.
The call for inclusion comes as President Mahama led government prepares to roll out the flagship 24-hour economy policy aimed as boosting productivity and accelerated exports and job creation.
Richard Eternal Nyarko, Eastern Regional Youth Organizer of the NDC, assured Persons with Disabilities of government’s commitment to inclusive development.
“The assurance to the people, persons with disability, that the current government have them in mind. And we are giving a lot of consideration to their living standard. In terms of employment, youth authority has indicated that any programme run, be it the National Apprenticeship Programme, whatever it is, the topmost people to be considered, persons with disability. “
“Same with YEA. YEA is rolling out programmes that will capture persons with disability, service programme, and other things”.
He appealed to persons with disabilities to take advantage of various government interventions tailor made for them to improve their living conditions.
“I encourage them to also draw closer to the government and take advantage of all the youthful policies that the government is putting on the table for them.It is up to them to draw closer. As for the government, it has prepared the opportunity for them.”
“And they have to draw closer to government and then benefit. We believe that in the next four years, with what is happening, many of them will be engaged in one form of a skilful work or the other.And then the country will progress,” he added.
These were expressed when two individuals -a Ghanaian and Cameroonian living abroad inaugurated the A & N Foundation in Koforidua to support persons with disabilities.
The Aboagye and Njiadom(A & N) Foundation focuses on supporting persons with disabilities in Ghana and Cameroon.
According to Samuel Aboagye foundation aims to provide comfort, empowerment, and resources to individuals with disabilities to improve their lives.
Donation of food times were made to hundreds of PWDs who showed up during the inauguration.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/ Obed Kojo Ansah
