The Board Chairman of the National Council on Persons with Disabilities, Frederick Assor, has called for calm among unemployed graduates with disabilities, stressing that while they face unique challenges, they should not expect preferential treatment over other citizens.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem on March 19, Mr. Assor explained that persons with disabilities “may be vulnerable, but sometimes we are not exceptional from the rest of the citizens of Ghana,” underscoring the need for fairness in access to employment opportunities.
His comments come in the wake of a planned demonstration by some graduates with disabilities over what they describe as a growing job crisis.
The group has threatened to embark on a nationwide demonstration on March 24 if the government fails to provide a clear roadmap to address their long-standing unemployment challenges, after a one-month ultimatum issued on February 9 expired without a concrete response.
However, Mr. Assor argued that while persons with disabilities deserve equal opportunities, other Ghanaians must also be considered in the distribution of limited resources.
“Non-persons with disabilities must also benefit from available resources just as we also want to benefit; if not, then we are being discriminatory,” he said.
He therefore urged the aggrieved group to exercise restraint, assuring them that the government has not ignored their concerns.
“It is not the case that the government has turned a blind eye,” he added, expressing confidence that the planned protest would not go ahead as tensions ease.
“At the moment, we have absorbed about 95 people, and the process is still ongoing,” he stated.
Addressing concerns about employment under the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Mr. Assor noted that tollbooth operations were based on contractual arrangements, which naturally come with expiration periods.
He explained that he personally led aspects of the recruitment process and that renewals are currently underway. However, he indicated that the process cannot be done all at once due to financial constraints, particularly salary funding.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com