New Juaben inaugurates Disabled Society 

The New Juaben Municipal branch of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled (GSPD) has been inaugurated with a call on the public not to look down upon those physically challenged in the society. 

The Municipal Chief Executive, Kwabena Okyere-Kusi, who made the call in his inaugural address in Koforidua, said every human being has a potential given by God which needs to be tapped despite the status of the person. 

Radio Ghana’s Correspondent Kwamina Onumah who sat in for GBC Sunrise FM reports that, participants include, Pozo Hayes, Onipa Nua and Steve wonder in the music circles, Dr. Seidu Danaa and Prof Gyima Boadi, Kwaku Halm the Journalist as well as the CPP Presidential Candidate, Ivor Greenstreet.

It is said that ‘Disability’ is not inability because there are many people either visually or physically impaired but been able to make a mark. It is for this reason that the Act 715 was passed. 

However, for the past decade it has been shelved in the cupboards without implementation to carter for the people with disabilities. 

The inauguration of the New Juaben branch with about 300 membership is to strengthen them to have one voice to send their petitions to the appropriate quarters for attention. 

Inaugurating it, the New Juaben Municipal Chief Executive, Kwabena Okyere-Kusi said gone are the days when physically challenged persons were stigmatized and hidden at homes. 

According to him, people with disabilities in the developed countries are given recognition and offered job opportunities to use their potentials for the development of their nations. 

Mr. Okyere Kusi said everyone has defects hidden in some areas which are not visible and entreated Ghanaians to treat physically challenged people as their neigbours and shun the stigmatization. 

He said the Assembly’s doors are always open to give them some assistance like others.
 
The MCE commended those who took the bull by the horn to bring them together to have the society inaugurated in the municipality. 

The Regional Chairman of the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled (GSPD) Daniel Agyekum, was unhappy that most of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies structures are unfriendly to those with disabilities and appealed for modification to favour them. 

He further appealed to the assembly to assist the association to acquire an office in order to store its documents for future reference. 


GBC