Inaugurate the governing board – Ghana Federation of Disability appeals to gov’t

The Ghana Federation of Disability Organization has appealed to the government to immediately inaugurate the governing board of its association.

According to the association, the delay in the commencement of operations of the Board has impacted negatively on the effort of the Council and stakeholders in taking major decisions aimed at promoting inclusion and effective participation of persons with disabilities in the Ghanaian society.

Kindly read the full statement below

PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
September 11, 2021

A CALL ON GOVERNMENT TO INAUGURATE THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON PERSONS WITH DISABILITY

Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) wishes to draw the attention of Government to the delay of the inauguration of the governing Board of the National Council on Persons with Disability (NCPD) as provided for under section 43 of the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715). The delay in the commencement of operations of the Board has impacted negatively on the effort of the Council and stakeholders in taking major decisions aimed at promoting inclusion and effective participation of persons with disabilities in the Ghanaian society.

The National Council on Persons with Disability (NCPD) is a creation of the Disability Act 2006 (section 41 of Act 715), with an object to propose and evolve policies and strategies to enable persons with disabilities be included and participate in mainstream national development.

Since the commencement of the second term of this government, numerous development programmes, policies and projects are being executed across the country for the benefit of citizens of Ghana. However, there is a high tendency for the needs and interests of persons with disabilities to be overlooked. The role played by the NCPD in this regard is crucial but unfortunately, it is currently not fully functioning dut to the absence of the Board, hence, the urgent need to inaugurate its governing Board.

Currently just like other government agencies, the tenure of office of the previous Board of NCPD which was inaugurated in 2018 is ended and in accordance with section 44 of Act 715 a new Board is supposed to be inaugurated.

As a Federation, we acknowledge the positive work of the government and the President for certain interventions made to protect and promote the rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities in Ghana.

The GFD would like to use this opportunity to respectfully call on the President of the Republic of Ghana, to inaugurate the governing Board of the National Council on Persons with Disability as a matter of urgency as any further delay would seriously derail the progress made so far in the disability sector.

SIGNED
Mawunyo Yakor-Dagbah
National President, GFD

For interviews please contact:
• Alexander B. Williams, Chairperson of National Advocacy Committee of GFD,
Telephone – +233 24 475 3479

• Kwame Mensah, Programmes Manager of GFD, Telephone: +233 240867200/543521020

• Alice Appiah, National Gender Committee Chairperson, +233 244 52 3308

Email us: info@gfdgh.org