The leader of the NPP PWD’s Support Group for DMB, a pro-NPP group of persons living with disability, Gilbert Boateng Agyare, has announced that the group has officially endorsed the presidential bid of Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia.
Mr. Agyare observed that life for persons with disability is better under an NPP administration, adding that the Kufuor administration led the Persons Living with Disability Act 2006 (Act 715) that protects the lives of the disabled community.
Additionally, he said the group decided to rally behind the current government due to the many measures the government has put in place to support people living with disabilities.
He revealed that the ruling government has increased the allocation of money given to them from the Disctrict Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) since coming into office.
“If you consider the common fund, which is money that is sent to every district to care for people with disabilities, during the reign of the opposition party (NDC), we received just 2% of that money, but today, as I speak to you, this government has increased it to 3%,” he explained.
Mr. Agyare also lauded the government for offering free education to persons with disability pursuing higher education at various tertiary institutions and providing monthly stipends for their upkeep.
According to him, these measures have significantly contributed to increasing the number of enrolments for people living with disabilities who want to further their education.
“Today, persons with disability in the various tertiary institutions have been given free education, whether in Legon, KNUST UCC, or wherever they are. The government does that for them, and even after school fees, the government gives them pocket money as well,” he said.
He further disclosed that the government recently, through the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), reengaged 282 persons living with disability who worked as tollbooth operatives but were relieved of their duties during the closure of tollbooths nationwide.
“If you remember the government collapsing the tollboots, all people living with disabilities who operated those tollboots have been called back by the government through its agency called YEA, which has recruited over 282 permanent employees into the over 265 districts we have in Ghana to care for the needs of the disabled people in every community in Ghana,” he disclosed further.
“So in a nutshell, all that we are saying is that when you compare the two political parties in this country, we can boldly say that when the New Patriotic Party is in power, things go in our favour more than when it is the other way around,” he added.
On the upcoming December polls, Mr. Agyare advised Ghanaians not to disturb the peace in Ghana, urging them not to allow political parties to disintegrate the country.
Mr. Agyare disclosed this on April 18, 2024, when the group met with the press.
*****
Never miss out on the news. Get your valuable breaking news and other vital content by following The Sikaman Times on WhatsApp Channel
*****
