The GFD’s petition demanded the MW&H to consider implementing its responsibility of removing barriers in public buildings to create access for persons with disability without or with minimal assistance to facilities.

Presenting the petition, Reverend John Merful, a member of the GFD said pursuant to Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability and the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), the GFD  deemed it necessary that all road infrastructure constructed in Ghana adhered to the provisions of the above-mentioned legislations.

He said section 6 of Act 715, stipulates that: “The owner or occupier of a place to which the public has access shall provide appropriate facilities that make the place accessible to and available for use by a Person with Disability.”

“It is also stipulated under Section 7 of Act 715 that: “A person who provides service to the public shall put in place the necessary facilities that make the service available and accessible to a Person with Disability.”

Section 39 under the Miscellaneous Provisions of the same Act indicates that “A person or institution, which organises a national, regional or district activity, shall as far as practicable ensure that facilities are made available for the participation in the activity by persons with disability,” he added.

Rev. Merful said although those provisions were well written in the Law, they were yet to be fully complied with, adding that many buildings, roads and public facilities were being constructed in the country without recourse to the Law on Accessibility.

He said it was unfair and discriminatory for the country to overlook what she was mandated to do to ensure the inclusion of all persons, adding that persons with disability would no longer accept any tokenism.

Rev Merful said accessibility for Persons with Disabilities was a right and that a practical demonstration of governments’ commitment to ensuring an accessible environment for all was needed.

He urged the Government to adapt all government buildings immediately so as to have the moral justification to sanction the rest of society that were not complying.  The GFD recommended some initial actions to be taken by the Ministry to promote access to public facilities and public space.

That all contracts for the construction of government infrastructure at all levels are inclusive of disability provisions, ensure that all plans and designs for the construction of buildings and other infrastructures adhere to the accessibility standards and building code.

That sanctions are brought on any contractor who fails to comply with the accessibility provision of the law per the standard designs provided in the National Accessibility Standards and the Ghana Building Code.

Mr Eugene Boakye Antwi, a Deputy Minister of Works and Housing, said the content of the petition submitted would be adhered to.He said the Ministry had taken into consideration the Organisation’s grievances and had launched the Building Code to ensure that all the provisions stated were complied with.

Mr Antwi said the Ministry had put in place a committee to put together regulations for the implementation of the Building Code. He assured the GFD of the Ministry's commitment to ensuring that their grievances were addressed.