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The Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GDF) has formally introduced the first phase of a DANIDA supported project in three pilot districts within the Eastern and Volta Regions. The districts include Manya Krobo, Birim South and Ho. The project aims at strengthening the disability movement in Ghana through capacity building.
Launching the program in the Ho and Manya Krobo Districts on Tuesday 2nd September 2008, the executive director of the Federation, Ms Rita Kyeremaah Kusi expressed her optimism about the success of the initiative and urged the members of the various disability committees to cooperate with the GFD.
Mr Poul Jorgensen, the Danish Liaison officer of the GFD gave an overview of the project and hinted that the Danish partners are committed to assist the Disability movement in Ghana to realize its objectives. On his part, the advocacy officer of the Federation, Mr Gregory Lankono reminded persons with disabilities (PWDs) that they could be the best advocates for themselves. He therefore urged them to take the advocacy and capacity building training programs very serious.
At Ho and Manya Krobo districts, the information and finance officers of the GFD Mssrs Emanuel Sackey and Larweh Harrison also took turns to assure the gathering that the GFD and its partners are committed to contribute towards the promotion of the rights and welfare of PWDs in the country.
The ultimate objective of the project is to ensure that Persons with disabilities enjoy equal rights in all spheres of life, in accordance with national and international legislations under constant supervision of a vibrant disability movement. The short and medium term objectives include the development of a good communication and advocacy capacity of the various disability organizations involved in the project. In all, six organizations from Denmark and Ghana are involved in the project. These include Danish Association of the Blind (DAB), Danish Association of the Physically Disabled (DAD) and the Disabled Peoples Organizations, Denmark (DPOD).
The participating Ghanaian organizations include the Ghana Association of the Blind (GAB), Ghana Society for the Physically Disabled (GSPD) and Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD). As part of the program was a forum, during which the members of the various committees of persons with disability raised several concerns. Most of the issues that emerged centered on the disbursement of the 2 percent disability allocation of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) and the representation of persons with disabilities in the assemblies.
The PWDs also expressed their frustration over the delay in the establishment of the National Disability Council which is mandated to oversee the implementation of the Disability Act (715). Others expressed their dissatisfaction over discrepancies in the implementation of the Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty (LEAP) program by the Social Welfare Department.
The chairman of the Manya krobo Disrict branch of the Ghana Society for the Physically Disabled (GSPD), Mr Emmanuel Nartey urged the government to establish the National Disability Council before the December elections. Mr Nartey also called for a representation of the disabled in the District Assemblies and other local government structures. The GFD delegation presented various public education materials on disability and social development to the local committees.
The sponsor of the project, DANIDA, has been a perennial development partner of marginalized and deprived communities and groups in Ghana. The Agency has a vast experience in international development and has been providing technical and financial assistance in the sphere of poverty alleviation, judicial reforms and capacity building.
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