The Member of Parliament for Okaikwei Central, Honourable Patrick Boamah has urged Persons with Disabilities (PWD’s) in the Okaikwei North Municipality to be united.
According to him, unity is the surest way to court public support for their activities.
The Okaikwei Central MP who is also the Patron of the Okaikwei North Municipal Branch of the Ghana Federation of Disabilities Organization (GFD) stated that unity, fear of God and truth must be the hallmark of the people in the group.
Honourable Boamah was speaking at the 5th Anniversary Celebration of the Group which also coincided with the celebration of the International Day of Persons With Disabilities in Accra.
He urged the group to Support the Constituency by massively voting for him in the 2024 Parliamentary elections adding “we have worked hard over the past 10 years to lift the Constituency; don’t be deceived; don’t let anyone deceive you, I am your MP.”
Bishop George Gogo, the Head Pastor of Sowers Chapel International stated that PWD’s continue to face all manner of challenges in all spheres of their lives in the country.
He noted that everybody stands the risk of suffering any form of disability, the reason everything possible must be done to improve their lives in the society.
The Man of God said there is hope for PWD’s because God cares about them and that the society must also offer the necessary support they require to live meaningful lives.
Madam Grace Benson, the Social Welfare Director of Okaikwei North Municipal Assembly stated that this year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities reminds us that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires living up to the promise to leave no one behind.
She explained that at the halfway point to the 2030 Agenda, persons with disabilities continue to face discrimination and barriers that restrict their meaningful inclusion in all areas of society.
“Truly sustainable development for persons with disabilities requires a laser-like focus on their needs and rights — not only as beneficiaries, but as active contributors across social, economic and political life” Madam Benson noted.
She continued: “This means ensuring that persons with disabilities are at every decision-making table, in line with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and across countries’ efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals — from poverty eradication, to health, education and climate action. On this important day, I call on the world to work side-by-side with persons with disabilities to design and deliver solutions based on equal rights in every country and community.”
Rev. Dr. Francis Boateng, the Deputy Director of Franno Group of Companies and Chairman for the event in an address urged the general public, the government, philanthropists, social groups, Christians, Muslims and other groups to support the group in its quest to empower PWD’s in the society.
He said PWD’s do not have access to good education, health, accommodation job opportunities among others stressing that “we need a better accessibility which can help PWD’s in our society at government and public buildings.”
Rev. Dr. Boateng, explained that some PWD’s have resorted to begging on the streets because members of society have failed to give them the necessary help they need to live meaningful lives.
Razak Yusif, the immediate past Regional Chairman of GFD tasked PWD’s to venture into business rather than waiting on people in the society to give them alms.
Mr. and Mrs. Kumi Agyare of Almighty Group of Companies donated 18 bags of rice and 3 boxes of oil to the Group; Rev. Dr. Boateng donated GH¢2,000 while Honourable Boamah donated GH¢5,000.
Mr. Gilbert Osafo, a leading member of the group received the items and cash on behalf of the Group and expressed appreciation for the gesture.