The flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), H.E. John Dramani Mahama, has endorsed the Private Member’s Bill initiated by the member of Parliament for Madina Constituency, Francis-Xavier Sosu.
The Private Member’s Bill seeks to ensure 5 per cent mandatory minimum employment for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in all public and private institutions in Ghana.
In a speech read on Mr Mahama’s behalf by former Minister for Gender, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo who is currently the Chairperson for the Gender and Social Protection Committee of the NDC, during a Stakeholders’ meeting with the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD), President Mahama noted the percentage of the common fund would be increased under his administration.
He recalled that it was under the erstwhile NDC leadership that the CRPD was ratified in Ghana and made a person with disability a Minister for Chieftaincy.
Furthermore, he stated his government played a pivotal role in successfully lobbying a Ghanaian to be made Chairperson of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Mr Mahama promised to improve the database of persons with disabilities and ensure the full implementation of the proposed Bill.
The former president emphasised that persons with disabilities will be full participants in his proposed 24-hour economy in line with goal 10 of the SDGs.
Lastly, he pledged to focus on reinvigorating the economic inclusion of women with disabilities.
On his part, the sponsor of the Bill and MP for Madina, Hon. Francis-Xavier Sosu, noted that the next NDC Government would continue to strengthen the legal and policy framework for the protection of the rights of women, children, and persons with disabilities, as well as all vulnerable groups in Ghana, as part of efforts to achieve SDG 10 which ensures that there is a reduced inequalities in Ghana.
The Bill to ensure a mandatory minimum employment of PWDs was initiated in Parliament on Monday, September 5 2022.
In attendance at the programme was members of NDC 2024 manifesto committee on Gender, Children, PWDs and Social Protection and some members of the Ghana Federation of Disability.
Source: Myxyzonline.com
