The Regional Secretary of the Federation of Persons with Disability (PWDs) in the Upper West Region, Mr Nurideen Saani, has called for inclusion of the preparation of district and municipal assemblies’ medium term development plans (MTDP).
Mr Saani said the lack of inclusion in decision making and preparation of the MTDPs had led to the elimination of their concerns and needs as most of those plans were silent on issues of PWDs.
He stated that disbursement of funds for development and subsequent construction of facilities did not meet the needs of PWDs due to the lack of involvement in planning and decision making processes.
Mr Saani made this known at Wa on Friday at a meeting with the leadership of the PWDs in the Wa Municipality to consolidate their aspirations and the need for possible inclusion in the MDTP of the municipal assembly.
The meeting which was at the instance of the Centre for Advancing Rural Opportunities (CARO) Ghana formed part of planned activities under a project dubbed Promoting Accountability in Public Financial Management in Ghana with support from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and being implemented in 40 assemblies across the country, including the Wa Municipality.
As the lead convener for the Civil Society Platform on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region, CARO Ghana is leading the implementation of the aspect of the project focused on persons with disability.
Yesterday’s meeting was therefore to document the needs of the PWDs through their leadership and subsequently advocate their inclusion in the MTDP of the municipal assembly.
Mr Saani indicated that places such as the regional minister’s office, municipal and district hospitals as well as market stalls belonging to the assembly, including new ones were not disability friendly because the PWDs were not included in the planning of such projects.
“Unfortunately the Disability Act still remains powerless in the face of these blunders which are seriously affecting our life and preventing us from having access to basic services,” he added.
FROM LYDIA DARLINGTON
FORDJOUR, WA
