By DisabilityNewsGH
The Member of Parliament for Keta says he is working hard to improve the lot of persons with disabilities in his constituency, including ensuring that the Municipal Assembly stops diverting the persons with disabilities’ share of the Assembly’s common fund.
Hon. Kwame Dzidzorli Gakpey says, it is the responsibility of society, including the state, to ensure that persons with disabilities live comfortably and happily, adding that, it is not their fault that they have disabilities.
The Keta Municipal Assembly in the recent past was diverting the 3% share of the Assembly’s common fund meant for persons with disabilities.
In 2020-2021 for instance, the Assembly spent the common fund for the disabled to settle its electricity bills, an act deemed illegal.
The Keta Municipal Chairperson of the Ghana Federal of Disability Organizations, madam Sherita Kudoda told DisabilityNewsGH that, the situation made life extra hard for persons with disabilities in the area.
Hon. Gakpey confirmed the story to DisabilityNewsGH and disclosed that he has had a conversation with the new Municipal Chief Executive on the matter, and was certain that diversion of funds for persons with disabilities would not happen again.
“I have discussed with the new MCE that anytime the Assembly’s common fund is in, what is due them (the disabled) must be given to them, because they are special people and we need to treat them with love and care. And so that situation will not happen again”, he assured.
ANLO SPECIAL SCHOOL
He also disclosed that he was making efforts to secure a parcel of land for the Anlo Special School.
He observed with great concern how the management of the school has been trying but without result, to get land to build the school. And said, he has decided to lead the efforts, and has so far started talks with the new MCE.
The Anlo Special School is an initiative of a young lady, Emma Elinam Sallah, whose porch serves as the only classroom for the school.
Her NGO, Butterfly Ghana Foundation started the daycare center in 2018; and so far has seven children with intellectual disabilities, including children with Autism, Down syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy.
The school desperately needs a formal school structure and environment for the children.
The improvised classroom is making teaching and learning very difficult, as they always have to be shifting about in the porch and the compound of the house, depending on the position of the sun. And it is even worse during the rainy season.
Ms. Elinam Sallah, in an earlier interview with DisabilityNewsGH noted that children with intellectual disabilities in such an unfriendly learning environment was making their work difficult.
According to her, a formal educational environment with the necessary learning and playing facilities would quicken their learning process.
She is appealing to well-meaning individuals and organizations to come to their aid.
She is currently running the school all by herself; paying the teachers and all other expenses.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH