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The Disability Movement in Ghana will forever remember 7th April 2009 for the historic inauguration of the long awaited National Council on Disability (NCD) at the Castle Osu. Prominent in attendance were; the Vice President representatives of Organization of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), board Members of the Council, the Chief of Staff, ministers of state and a section of the media.
In his key note address, His Excellency Mr. John Dramani Mahama the Vice President of the republic noted that the constitution of Ghana mandates equal opportunities for all Ghanaians to participate in National development. Mr Mahama used the occasion to call on parents and guardians to make it a duty to send their wards including those with disabilities to school. He also stressed that law enforcement is a prerequisite for good governance and gave the assurance that the government shall conform to the provisions of the National Disability Act.
In his welcome address, the Minister for Employment and Social Welfare Hon. Stephen Quaynor, applauded the inauguration of the NCD, and noted that the event was paramount because it will pave the way for the implementation of the National Disability Act (715) and the mainstreaming of disability issues into national development. On his part, the chairman of the NCD, Mr. Andrews Okaikoi acknowledged that the challenges facing PWDs was enormous and reiterated the need for the government to endorse the UN Convention on Persons with Disability.
The governing body of the National Council include; Dr. Bashiru Iddrisu Koray of the Ghana Association of the Blind, Ms. Augustina Ampomah (Ghana National Association of the Deaf) Ms. Emma Lillian Bruce Lyle (Ghana Society of the Physical Disabled) It also includes Mr. Andrew Okaiko (chairman), Dr. Cynthiah Bannerman-(Ministry of Health, Member), Mr. Stephen Adonko (Department of Social Welfare, Member), Mr. Herbert Anto (Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Member), Mr. Victor Ayete Larbi (Employers Association, Member) Mawutor Ablo (Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, Member), Robert Akyea (Special Education Division of the Ghana Education Service, Member).The rest are Mr. Henry Woode (Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Member), Mrs. Serwah Quaynor (Autism Centre, Government Appointee), and Mr. Ivor Greeenstreet (Convention People Party).
With the inauguration of the Council it is expected that the implementation of the national disability act will commence.
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