The Psykforum and the Hope for Future Generations (HFFG) have organized an advocacy review meeting on the enactment of by-laws for people with disabilities, including mental health conditions.
This activity forms part of the Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) and stigma reduction for mental health and disability inclusion project being implemented by the PsykForum and HFFG under the Ghana Somubi Dwumadie.
The meeting brought together representatives from the various Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), the Media, traditional authorities, members from the Federation of People with Disabilities (PWDs), local church leaders, Islamic Leaders among others in Central Region
Speaking with ATLFMNEWS, a board member of the PsykForum, Madam Vivian Aubyn says the engagement is to develop draft bye-laws using the PWDs Act, 2006, (Act, 715), Mental health Act, 2012 (Act, 846) and the Conventions on rights of Persons with Disability, 2006 based on their consultation with MMDAs.
“We have had interactions with the MMDAs and they have indicated that although they have bye-laws in other areas, they don’t have any on disability and mental health. This program is to help us to come out with some potential bye-laws that can be implemented and enforced at the Municipal, Metropolitan and District Assembly level,” She noted
Madam Vivian Aubyn further revealed that the meeting also forms part of a series of workshop and awareness creation with various stakeholders and all duty bearers to ensure the promotion of disability inclusion and reduce stigma and discrimination.
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“This project seeks to as one of its outcomes to ensure that duty bearers enforce the laws and policies on disability and mental health,” these acts and laws are there, are they being enforced?” she asked.
Madam VivianAubyn however calledon the entire populace to treat people with disability and mental health conditions with respect and to help protect the dignity and right of such individuals.
According to her, if we can develop as a people, we need the potential and the resources of every member of society.
“We cannot cut off some members of society. We should encourage people with disability who are doing great things. The era where we used to think about mental health as madness is gone because we all go through stresses of life,” she said.
She therefore urged the families and relatives of people with disability and mental health conditions to allow them to engage in things that will help them excel or explore their own potential.
SOURCE: ERIC SEKYI/ATLFMNEWS
