Physically challenged want part of Kufuor’s prize money

The Ghana Federation for the Disabled (GFD) is pleading with former President John Agyekum Kufuor to channel part of his money from his recent international award to the development of “Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)”.

The GFD said even though the former President did so much for PWDs during his tenure as a President, he should not forget the PWDs in his plans to channel the funds into education.

Former President Kufuor and former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were last Tuesday named winners of the 2011 World Food Prize. They will receive $250,000.

Part of the amount will be used to build a centre at the University of Ghana to promote leadership, governance and development in the sub-region.

Part of the money will also be used to complete a presidential museum and library on the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology campus.

Speaking in an interview with Asempa News, the Vice President of the GFD, Yaw Ofori Debrah, explained that if part of the money could be channeled through education, training and disability development, it will help the PWDs in the country since government provisions to the Federation has not been enough.

He recounted policies such as Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) for PWDs and the allocation of 2% of the District Assemblies Common Fund for the PWDs as some of the good initiatives implemented during President Kufuor’s reign.

Meanwhile, Spokesperson for former President Kufuor, Frank Agyekum has told Asempa News that although Mr. Kufuor’s share of $125,000.00 would not be adequate for the two big projects he is undertaking on the two campuses, the plea by the GFD may be taken into consideration.

Story by Kwaku Antwi-Otoo/Asempa FM/Ghana