The Government will increase the District Assemblies’ Common Fund (DACF) allocation for Persons with Disabilities from three per cent to five per cent starting next year, President John Dramani Mahama has announced.
The President announced this when he formally launched the Free Tertiary Education for Persons with Disability Initiative at the Accra College of Education.
He said the Disability Desks in every District Assembly in consultation with the local branch of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled, would prepare a budget each year for how they intend to spend the five per cent that had been allocated to them.
The President said government would launch dedicated programmes for women with disability, to provide them with entrepreneurship grants and leadership training.
Touching on accessibility and infrastructure, he said the Government would enforce the Ghana Accessibility Standards for all public buildings and facilities.
He said 2026 would be 10 years since the enforcement of accessibility to public buildings was meant to be enforced; therefore, in the Amendment Act to Act 715, they would increase the term of imprisonment for persons who refuse to comply.
“And we will also increase the fines that they have to pay. Act 715 says the penalty for not complying is three months in prison or GHS600.00. GHS600.00 is too small,” President Mahama said.
“So, in the new Act, we are going to increase the penalty and maybe we increase the imprisonment from three months to six months.”
President Mahama said the Government intends to introduce a system for distributing rechargeable motorized wheelchairs to Persons with Disabilities.
He said he had directed all Ministers of State to review their obligations under the Disability Act and present action plans for full compliance within the shortest possible time.
“Every year, as part of the obligation of Ministers, you have to provide a report on how they’ve complied with the Disability Act.”
He called on the private sector, civil society, development partners, universities, and the media to join hands in this noble mission.
“Let us transform our national attitudes from commiseration to partnership,” the President said.
GNA.
