A beneficiary receiving a wheel chair
The University of Ghana Office of Students with Special Needs on Friday, April 30, 2021 received a donation of four (4) wheelchairs from the Centre for Employment of Persons with Disability.
At a brief ceremony, the Coordinator of the Office of Students with Special Needs, Dr. Awo Manna Asiedu, remarked that the donation was made possible when she sighted an online report of a similar donation by Mr. Tetteh, Chairman for the Coalition for Ghana Disability Forum, to an individual. She consequently contacted Mr. Tetteh to solicit for three wheelchairs for some newly admitted students who needed them for use on campus. Mr. Tetteh graciously obliged and promised to donate four wheelchairs instead of three.
Dr. Awo Manna Asiedu
Mr. Tetteh disclosed that the wheelchairs were donated by the Free Wheel Chair Mission. He commended the Free Wheel Chair Mission for the kind gesture and for the opportunity to donate to others. He looked forward to a fruitful collaboration with the Office of Students with Special Needs in the area of employment generation for physically challenged graduates of the University of Ghana. Mr. Tetteh was hopeful that the wheelchairs would go a long way to facilitate easy movement of the beneficiaries and facilitate their educational pursuits.
Mr. Tetteh fixing the wheelchairs before presentation
Professor Lydia Aziator, Dean, School of Nursing and Midwifery, who chaired the ceremony expressed appreciation on behalf of Senior Management for the donation. She noted that the University has so far admitted 146 students with disabilities made up of 67 females and 79 males. She emphasized the need to comply with the law on the physically challenged in the construction of facilities across the country. Prof. Aziator was optimistic that very soon, power-driven wheelchairs will replace the manually operated ones to make life easier for the physically challenged.
Professor Lydia Aziator, Dean, School of Nursing and Midwifery
Dr. Augustina Naami of the Social Work Department and a member of the Board for the Centre for Employment of Persons with Disability noted that, globally and most especially in Ghana, educational and employment opportunities of persons living with disability are very low. The Centre for Employment of Persons with Disability therefore recognizes the need for inclusive employment for persons with disabilities. This includes the right to have access to employment, work with dignity, and earn some income to boost their self-confidence and to enjoy their basic human rights like everyone else. Making reference to Agenda 2030 of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability, Dr. Naami stressed the need for all to shun all manner of stigma and discrimination against persons living with disabilities.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Sylvanus Agyei expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the benefactors for the donation. He was hopeful that the donation would go a long way to facilitate their academic work and make life more comfortable.
