A former Managing Director of the GCB Bank, Ernest Agbesi, has assured Persons living with Disabilities (PWDs) in the Eastern Corridor of the country that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will prioritize their peculiar needs.

He also assured them that the NDC will make available many opportunities for them to be able to expand and grow, even as they live comfortable lives.

Ernest Agbesi made this known to the PWDs when he and a team of NDC leaders visited some constituencies in the Eastern Corridor of the country, as part of their last trip before the December 7 elections.

The team has been travelling to and from the Eastern corridor communities in the last months in an attempt to recapture some 9 orphan seats for the NDC.

Agbesi, while addressing the PWDs, told them that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has always proven to be a party that is more concerned about their plight than any other.

“To be honest, there is a world of difference between the NDC and the NPP when it comes to our relationship with persons living with disabilities. The point is that, as a social democratic party, we have that organic chemistry with persons who are disadvantaged. We run a policy of inclusivity and that is the reason why when we were in office, we were the first to appoint a person living with disability to become Minister of Chieftaincy. Whenever the party constitutes government appointees, we have ensured that we have a person living with a disability. As chief executive, I ensured that PWDs got employment opportunities and the current secretary of the PWDs is an example; I influenced his appointment to the district assembly.

“But what I hear is the way we used to disburse funds to the people living with disabilities is not the same that is happening now, because one, the quantum of money and resources that got into the Disability Fund has dwindled and for good reasons, for the fact that the Common Fund has been capped so the quantum of money that comes into the Disability Fund has dwindled drastically,” he said.

He added “Also, I understand that their needs, as we used to meet them, are not being met. We had a programme to construct a resource centre for them but ever since we left office, that has been shelved, and so, to be honest, to compare the current administration to the NDC administration in terms of the handling of the living with disabilities is like comparing day and night.”

On their part, one of the leaders of the PWDs, Azumah Kama, gave assurances that they will also continue to support the NDC’s campaign to return to power.

He stressed how in the last eight (8) years, they have had to grapple with many challenges, including dealing with delays in the release of their Common Fund contributions.

“It wasn’t easy because life for eight years with this government, we didn’t find it easy as a group, because all our needs and appeals that have been submitted to them, they turned down those appeals. So, it’s not good for us. Members, for instance, here, lack entrepreneurial training and that entrepreneurial training is what is going to empower them economically. So, without that entrepreneurial training, I don’t think life will be good for persons with disabilities in this constituency and the country at large. We see that the differences and the margins are there.

“When the NDC was in power, in fact, really, our Common Fund wasn’t delayed at all. And even there are certain things that we pass to them and they approve it for us. So, actually, to say the truth, life cannot compare with this current and previous one…We’ve not been neglected but as a group, some of our needs are not met, especially the unemployment area,” he said.

He further stated “Currently, we have three graduates among us. They lack employment, and they were even demanding for them to pay an amount of GH¢15,000 and GH¢23,000 and I said no. So, currently, we are facing those challenges.

“We are assuring and appealing to the NDC that those challenges should be addressed when they come to power. They should remember that today they are here with us, they should remember us when they come to power. If they do not address these issues, I don’t think if the next government comes, they will address these issues. So, for now, we are supporting the NDC to win power and we are praying for them to also win the power because the challenges that we’ve witnessed currently and within the country are very critical; economically, educationally, and unemployment is high. So, we are looking for the next government that will come to find solutions to those issues.”

Also, present at the event was a former Nanumba North District Chief Executive (DCE), Mohammed Ibn Abass, who reiterated that PWDs have been neglected, but the NDC will make them a priority.

He explained that there is a need for PWDs to be given more opportunities to showcase themselves and contribute to the country’s development.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is optimistic that it will win back all the 9 orphan constituencies in the Eastern corridor that are currently held by the NPP.

These constituencies are Zabzugu, Chereponi, Gusgiegu, Bimbilla, Wulensi, Karaga, Yendi, Tatale, and Miong/Sang.