NEWS

The Ghana Federation of the Disabled has made inputs to the Medium Term National Development Policy Framework of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC). The strategic plan which covers 2010 and 2013 seeks to improve and sustain the country’s economic stability.

The national policy framework also aims to expand infrastructure while quickening the pace of agricultural modernization and development of agro-based industries. The policy framework is also intended to reduce poverty, ensure good governance and sustainable partnerships between government and the private sector.

The issues identified by the GFD for consideration include; the high incidence of poverty and unemployment among persons with disability (PWDs), lack of research on disability issues, assistance to PWDs in agriculture and accessibility to public transport.

For its contribution to the solution of the above challenges, the Federation calls for the full and effective implementation of the National Disability Act (715). GFD also proposes an effective Coordination and distribution of development projects and in a manner that ensures fair and balanced allocation of national resources across ecological zones gender, income groups including persons with disability.

As part of its proposal, the GFD also urges district Assemblies to implement the guidelines for disbursement of the District Assembly Common Fund. The Federation also calls for appropriate agricultural extension services for PWDs.
GFD also want the government to support education of PWDs while granting a quota in public sector employment to PWDs.

In sum the Federation calls for the mainstreaming of disability concerns in national development planning.The National Development Planning Commission was created by an act of parliament and has the mandates to advise the President on National Development Strategy.