Dr. Apaak calls on MPs to join Parliamentary Caucus on Disability

Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to join the Parliamentary Caucus on Disability.

Addressing Parliament on Thursday to mark this year’s National Day for Persons with Disability, Dr. Apaak disclosed that the Parliamentary Caucus on Disability has championed the cause of Persons with Disabilities.

“Mr. Speaker, I will humbly call on my colleagues, Members of Parliament (MPs) to join the Parliamentary Caucus on Disability. I know there are like-minded colleagues who are committed to disability inclusion,” Dr. Apaak stated.

“We want to ensure that legislations passed by this House is disability-inclusive and that Parliament remains accessible to persons with disabilities. The Caucus has also been advocating the expedited re-enactment of the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), and the ratification of the African Disability Protocol.

According to him, “The objective of the Caucus is to create a platform for parliamentarians to advocate the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities, promoting equal opportunities, and supporting the implementation of disability-related policies and legislations”.

He continued: “Mr. Speaker, our objective is informed by the unpleasant fact that Persons with Disabilities face various barriers to participation in society, including: Inaccessible infrastructure; Stigma and Discrimination; Limited access to Education and Employment; Inadequate Healthcare and Social Services.

“Our Caucus intends to help address these issues by: Raising awareness about disability issues among parliamentarians and the general public, Providing a forum for parliamentarians to discuss and address disability-related concerns, Supporting legislation and policies promoting disability inclusion, Engaging with organizations of persons with disabilities and other stakeholders”.

The Builsa South lawmaker also indicated that the focus of the caucus is on disability issues in Ghana, including “accessible Infrastructure and Transportation; Education and Employment opportunities; Healthcare and Social Services; Political Participation and Representation.”