The Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, Angel Lossada, has advocated the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in all aspects of decision-making to make them feel at home.
That, he indicated, would positively impact PWDs to make them feel loved and cared for by society in general.
Ambassador Lossada made this known in a lecture delivered at the Koforidua Technical University (KTU) in the Eastern Region last Thursday on the topic “Inclusivity of persons with disabilities and discrimination against them”.
In attendance were both management and lecturers of the university, students, some queenmothers of the New Juaben Traditional Area, representatives of religious bodies and the general public.
Stroke
The Ambassador, who suffered a stroke three years ago but was healed, said being in such a condition for three years rendered him passionate about such persons in society.
He, therefore, made a passionate appeal to all stakeholders, especially governments, to include the welfare of disadvantaged persons in policies and programmes.
UN Convention
He cited the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which stipulates that such persons should also enjoy privileges as human rights, equity and dignity just like any other person.
Such privileges, according to the Spanish Ambassador, included education, health and accessibility to all places.
Ambassador Lossada, who told the gathering that currently there were five million PWDs in Spain, stated that such persons should always be loved and taken good care of.
Discrimination
He urged stakeholders in academia, as well as parents, not to discriminate against their children with disabilities but rather give them equal opportunities and support to enable them to realise their fullest potential in life.
The Chancellor of the university, Kwesi Aduafo Yankey, who was happy to receive Ambassador Angel Lossada at the university, stated that the visit would afford the university the opportunity to research for development.
He said as a university, it valued research and development and that the Spanish Ambassador’s presence would cement bilateral relations between Spain and Ghana, which was being done through the KTU.
Mr Yankey mentioned several activities carried out between the Spanish Embassy and the KTU, one of which had been the professional training of the university lecturers.
Such initiative, he indicated, would also empower the students in whatever they do in the communities.
Mr Yankey told the Spanish Ambassador that the university was committed to taking proper care of persons with disabilities on campus and at the same time giving them equal opportunities like the abled ones.
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Source:
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