ACCRA – The Volta Regional chapter of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) has called upon the Government to consider the specific needs of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the distribution of relief items for victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage.
According to a new release by the Ghana News Agency, the organization indicated that a large number of the 24,620 PWDs residing in the South, Central, and North Tongu districts have been adversely affected by the flooding. The Federation, led by its Volta Regional President, Ms Elikplim Klu, conducted an assessment visit to these areas to gauge the level of impact on its members. Klu stated that PWDs are experiencing intensified difficulties due to their inherent vulnerabilities.
Ms Klu also called on citizens, corporate bodies, foreign missions, international relief agencies, and donor partners to provide aid. Furthermore, she emphasized that there is a legislative gap concerning support services for PWDs during disasters, citing that neither the 1992 Republican Constitution of Ghana nor the PWDs Act 2006 makes explicit provisions for such circumstances. She urged the Legislature to review and update Act 715 to align with international disability laws and conventions. Klu also called for the Volta River Authority and other stakeholders to reconsider their disaster prevention and management strategies.