OBUASI, Ghana — Media practitioners at a day's seminar on Disability Act and Taxation Law in Ghana have expressed concern about the high illiteracy level amongst Persons with Disability (PWDs) within the Adansi North, Adansi South, Amansie District and Obuasi Municipality.

Statistics made available at the seminar held at Obuasi indicated that out of 503 members constituting the Obuasi branch of the Ghana Society of Physically Disabled
(GSPD), 272 representing 54.1 percent have not had any formal education.

Out of the number 97, 65, 57 and 12 representing 19.3, 12.9, 11.3 and 2.4 respectively, were said to have attained Basic, Middle School, Senior High and Tertiary certificates respectively.

The seminar organized by the Obuasi branch of GSPD was aimed at educating the media on the Disability Act. Of the total number, 52.5 percent are not engaged in any income generating activity with only 1.0 percent and 3.0 percent in the teaching and civil/public service respectively.

A facilitator at the seminar, Mr. Kwaku Adiefeh Agyei, who described the situation as worrying, recommended that Corporate Bodies sponsored registered disabled persons to acquire training, skills and trade in vocational institutions. The Chairman of the Obuasi branch of the Ghana Society of Physically Disabled, Mr. Karim Iddrisu asked Corporate Bodies to take advantage of the Disability Act 2006 and employ members of the society.

Under promotion of employment of persons with disability of the Disability Act 2006 section 10 (i) it states, "the government shall grant a person with disability an annual income in respect of each person with disability employed as shall be prescribed".

The 10 (ii) under the same Act says, "The government shall grant special incentives to persons with disability engaged in business and also to business organizations that employ persons with disability".