AUSTRALIA TO ASSIST PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED PERSONS (DAILY GRAPHIC, PAGE 22, FRI AUG 20, 10)

Story: Della Russel Ocloo & Nathaniel Mensah,Tema

THE Australian High Commission in Accra has pledged to financially support skill training programmes for the physically challenged persons who were making strides towards betterment of their lives and society.
The Vice Consular, Dr Kate O’Shaughnessy speaking on behalf of the High Commissioner disclosed this at Tema during the launched of the “Yes We Can” project by the Hope in Christ Physically Challenged Foundation; a Tema based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO).
The project which was among a series initiatives outlined by the foundation seeks to engage members in skill training to enable them make decent livelihood.
According to her, seeing physically challenged persons initiating meaningful projects aimed at alleviating poverty within their folds needs commendation and encouragement.
“It is for this reason the commission as a major stakeholder in strengthening diplomatic relations and working towards the reduction of poverty would want to fully provide logistic and monetary support to disability societies working to reduce alms soliciting among members”, she stated.
While commending the foundation for the initiative, Dr O’Shaughnessy was optimistic the project will go a long way to help the physically challenged to be independent in society.
The President of the NGO Mr Benjamin Ofosuhene indicated that, the training programme which has been alienated in phases would see over fifty physically challenged persons being trained in footwear production in the first face of the project.
He said twenty persons were currently undergoing a two months training in the production of tourist wear and sandals including ladies footwear.
Mr. Ofosuhene lamented at the low rate of enrollment owing to the lack of means of transportation to and from the learning center which he said was forcing most trainees to return to the streets to beg for alms.
He has therefore appealed for support from corporate institutions within the Tema metropolis to provide assistant to the NGO towards a successful implementation of outlined projects as well as equipping trainees at the end of the two months programme.
Mr ofosuhene was optimistic the programme which would also provide working capital and tools at the end of the two-month course would go a long to reduce streetism among persons with disability.
The NGO established in 2001 by a team of social workers and Christian volunteers to reach out to persons with disability has over the years provided platform to the most vulnerable physically challenged persons through education, socio-economic empowerment and counseling.
The Board Chairman of the NGO, Mr Francis Gariba paid glowing tribute to the Australian High Commission for its immense assistance and was hopeful the project would significantly empower persons with disability to financially to contribute their quota toward the country’s development..
The Tema Mantse, Nii Adjei Krakue III charged beneficiaries of the programme to serve as worthy ambassadors and commended the high commission for its sole sponsorship.