‘Ensure Access For People With Disabilities’

Yaw Barima-Antwi receiving his cheque of GHȼ10,000 from Basintale of MTN

WINNER of the health category in the ‘MTN Heroes of Change’ contest, Yaw Barima-Antwi, has asked government to ensure that people with disabilities get access to public buildings and state institutions.

According to the 66-year-old physically challenged man, several physical features at public places that people without physical disabilities take for granted, present serious problems for people with different abilities, mostly because their needs have not been considered in designing those facilities.

Speaking to journalists after receiving his GHȼ10,000 prize from the MTN Ghana office in Kumasi, Mr. Barimah-Antwi, who is the Managing Director of Physically Challenged Action Foundation at Offinso in the Ashanti Region, said people with disabilities are restricted in their movements any time they visit public institutions.

‘That lack of consideration can also be extended to the ways people with disabilities are treated when they seek employment, education, or services. For those of us who have some physical difficulties, however, a curb or a few stairs can be large barriers,’ he noted.

James Bukari Basintale, General Manager of MTN Northern Business, who presented the GHȼ10,000 prize on behalf of MTN Foundation, commended Mr. Barimah-Antwi for his selfless work toward humanity.

According to him, the MTN Ghana’s ‘Heroes of Change’ competition  aims at identifying and recognising people who have sacrificed their energy, time and other resources, to improve their communities and the lives of others.

Amadu Mohammed of Foundation of Integrated and Strategic Development at Sandema, who won the community crusade category, also received GHȼ10,000 for his work toward community improvement.

Dr. Kwame Abrokwa Yankyera was adjudged the overall winner of the 2013 MTN Heroes of Change project at a grand ceremony at the Accra International Conference Centre on April 4, 2014.

From Ernest Kofi Adu, Kumasi
( [email protected] )