STAKEHOLDERS FORUM FOR THE INCLUSION OF DISABILITY IN THE EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY

The Department of National Council on Person with Disability under the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection held a Stakeholder Forum for the Inclusion of Disability in the Extractive Industry on Wednesday, 30^th October 2019 at the Best Western Premier Hotel, Accra

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection Dr. Afisah Zakariah in her welcome address stated that, the forum is very important because the Ministry in collaboration with its stakeholders operates on the theme “Leaving no One Behind,” hence the need to include Persons with Disability in the Extractive Industry

She said issues of disability is very important to Government and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection which is mandated to address challenges facing Persons with Disability.

Mr. Yaw Ofori-Debra, Board Chairman for the National Council on Persons with Disability in his address said issues of disability over the years have been relegated to the bottom of the national agenda, but currently, being given a recognition as a human rights issue

He added that, internationally the need to recognize disability rights has been over emphasised leading to the National Disability law and the UN Conversion on the rights for Persons with Disability which Ghana has rectified.

Mr. Yaw Ofori-Debra also noted that, there are high demands of resources needed to make Persons with disabilities functional in the society hence the need for all stakeholders in the Extractive Industry to come together to help support the course of helping Persons with Disability since the government of the day alone cannot support this.

The Executive Director of Africa Center for Energy Policy, Mr. Benjamin Boakye in his remarks said his organization is in the process empowering the vulnerable and Persons with Disability in the society in order for them to contribute to the development of the society.

The Deputy Minister for Energy Dr. Amin Adam in his address said he is delighted that the extractive industry is being called upon to discuss inclusiveness of Persons with Disability. He stated that, Persons with Disabilities should also benefit their quota from the extraction industry by empowering them to get the requisite skills and expertise needed in the field.

He advocated for Government to bring Oil and Gender Disability Policy just as we have Corporate Social Responsibilities Policy. He said government and the oil industry must set aside a quota for women and Persons with disability to increase their participation in the industry.

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Cynthia Mamle Morrison stated that as much as persons with disability constitutes a considerable percentage of the population of Ghana, their full potentials are yet to be fully honoured.

She said it is with this reason that the Ministry is integrating the perspectives of persons with disability into various activities of the Ministry to enhance their full potentials by seeing beyond their disability and making them more responsible towards the Ghana Beyond Aid agenda.

Hon. Cynthia Mamle Morrison added that her Ministry is working on putting up a center for children with cerebral palsy for easy access to their therapy. She also highlighted the issue of getting experts for interpretations in the consulting rooms of the hospitals for effective medications to be given.

The Hon. Minister also advised all and sundry to desist from ridiculing couples with infertility issues since children are given by God.

She called on all corporate bodies to support persons with disability in order for them contribute their quota for national development.

Source: MoGCSP