Stakeholders call for amendment of Persons with Disability Act

Stakeholders have proposed an amendment to the Persons with Disability Act, 2006. This aims to enhance inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens.

At a forum on the existing Act, Mr. Augustine Niber spoke. He is the Executive Director of CEPIL. He emphasized the need to strengthen legal frameworks for persons with disabilities.

The event took place at Fiesta Royale Hotel on Thursday, March 27. Key stakeholders gathered to discuss necessary reforms to the legislation.

Mr. Niber opened by stating, "We gather today to discuss the rights of persons with disabilities." He noted that disability can affect anyone at some point in life.

Despite its universal nature, individuals with disabilities face many barriers. These include physical accessibility challenges and social exclusion.

The forum aimed to explore ways to improve legal protections and accessibility. Mr. Niber added that they want to foster an inclusive society where everyone thrives without restrictions.

The proposed amendments are crucial for recognizing and upholding the rights of persons with disabilities. Participants included advocates, legal experts, and individuals with disabilities.

They discussed how the current legal framework may not meet evolving needs. This is especially true in education, employment, and public infrastructure.

Participants learned about key highlights of the Persons with Disability Act during a session. Alhassan Iddrisu from the Centre for Public Interest Law spoke about understanding gaps in existing law.

He said, "We have been working on the Persons with Disability Act of 2006." He believes that current proposed amendments capture important changes needed in the new act.

However, Mr. Iddrisu stressed that this process is ongoing. Critical issues raised during the forum still need addressing.

"The gate is not closed yet," he stated. A memorandum will be sent to the Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection before it goes to Cabinet and Parliament.

One key point discussed was stronger representation for persons with disabilities nationally. Mr. Iddrisu suggested a quota system for their automatic representation in decision-making processes.

He said they could submit this idea to the Constitutional Review Commission. This would ensure some level of representation at the national level for persons with disabilities.