News
Minority backs petition by unemployed graduates with disabilities on employment demands
The Minority in Parliament has backed a petition by the Coalition of Unemployed Graduates with Disabilities, calling for improved employment opportunities for qualified persons with disabilities.
The petition was received on behalf of the Minority Caucus by the Deputy Minority Leader and Member of Parliament for Asokwa, Patricia Appiagyei.
It was presented by the Convener of the Coalition, Gilbert Boateng Agyare.
The Coalition is demanding the immediate recruitment of qualified unemployed graduates with disabilities whose names are on its verified list.
It is also calling for the strict enforcement of the employment quota for persons with disabilities in public sector recruitment and the introduction of incentives for private sector employers who employ qualified persons with disabilities.
The Minority described the concerns raised by the Coalition as legitimate and firmly grounded in law.
According to the Caucus, Article 29 of the 1992 Constitution guarantees persons with disabilities protection from exploitation and discrimination.
It added that the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), requires the State to assist persons with disabilities in securing employment through public employment centres.
The Act also provides tax rebates and other incentives for private and public employers who engage qualified persons with disabilities.
The Minority further noted that Article 17 of the Constitution allows Parliament to introduce affirmative measures to address social and economic inequalities.
The Caucus reaffirmed its commitment to championing policies that would strengthen employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and close the gap between the rights guaranteed by law and the experiences of persons with disabilities.
It commended the Coalition for using the appropriate parliamentary channels to present its concerns and assured members that the petition would receive the attention it deserves.
The Minority stressed that access to opportunities should be based on ability, competence and determination rather than disability.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Management and staff of Owass FM have announced the passing of media personality, comedian and politician Seth Kwame Dzokoto following a medical emergency during a live morning show discussion at the station earlier today.
According to the station, Dzokoto was participating in a panel discussion on its morning show “Oman Nkoso” when he suddenly took ill and collapsed.
A statement from the station said its team immediately rushed him to the hospital for medical attention, but he was pronounced dead by the attending medical doctor upon arrival.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident, which occurred in the course of our regular programming. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, colleagues, and all those who have been affected by his passing,” the statement said.
Management acknowledged that information about the incident is already circulating in the public domain, but appealed to the public and colleague media houses to respect the privacy of the bereaved family and refrain from circulating unverified information or speculation regarding the circumstances of his death.
Owass FM extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of Seth Kwame Dzokoto.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The State through the Attorney General (AG) has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the suspension of the trial in the case of The Republic v Hanan Aludiba and Faiza Seidu.
On Monday, the Court of Appeal suspended the trial in the case. But the prosecution says it has filed an appeal against the suspension order.
According to the update, the law does not allow a criminal trial to be suspended simply because an accused person has complained about some of the charges on the charge sheet, particularly when those complaints were dismissed as meritless.
It argues that if the Court of Appeal’s decision is allowed to stand, no prosecution will ever be possible, since all it would take for a trial to be suspended is an accused person complaining about anything on the charge sheet.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
