News:
July 15, 2010
Two non-governmental organizations (NGO)-MindFreedom Ghana and Mental Health Society of Ghana, have petitioned Parliament to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPDs) by the end of the year.
The petition, signed by Mrs Janet Amegatcher, Director of MindFreedom Ghana, and Reverend Agatha Fiaty, Acting Administrator of Mental Health Society of Ghana, also urged Parliament to ensure the passage of the Mental Health Bill into Law by the same period.
Mrs. Amegatcher who presented the petition to the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Ocquaye, at Parliament House on Wednesday, said ratification of CRPDs would facilitate international co-operation in support of national efforts to effectively and realistically achieve human rights protection for persons with disabilities.
The petition among other things called on Parliament to facilitate the production of Legislative Instrument to Persons with Disability Act, Act 715.
It said the Act should make adequate budgetary allocations to mental health care and take necessary steps to improve the working conditions for all categories of mental health workers in Ghana.
The petition called for a sustained awareness campaign on the UN Convention through local government, the media, traditional authorities, NGOs and civil society organizations for members of society to be abreast of the rights of persons with disabilities.
The Ministry of Health is currently fine-tuning the Mental Health Bill for onward submission to Cabinet after which it would be presented to Parliament for passage.