The Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, H. E. Ángel Lossada, has urged the management of Koforidua Technical University to champion advocacy for the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in decision-making processes across institutions and communities.
Delivering a public lecture on inclusivity at the university, Ambassador Lossada urged the institution to take a leading role in promoting policies and practices that make persons with disabilities feel fully integrated into society.
He said promoting inclusion in decision-making would positively affect the lives of disadvantaged persons, particularly within the communities in which they live.
“I want to passionately appeal to all stakeholders, especially governments, to include the welfare of disadvantaged persons in policies and programmes,” he said.
“Under no circumstance should persons with disabilities be discriminated against as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities stipulates that such persons should also enjoy privileges such as human rights, equity and dignity just like any other person.”
The ambassador disclosed that he suffered a stroke three years ago, an experience he said deepened his commitment to advocating for the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities.
He noted that access to education, healthcare and public facilities must be guaranteed to persons with disabilities, stressing that such rights were essential to achieving genuine inclusion.
“Such privileges include education, health and accessibility to all places. Currently, there are five million persons with disabilities in Spain, and such persons should always be loved and taken good care of,” he said.
Ambassador Lossada also encouraged stakeholders in academia and parents not to discriminate against children with disabilities but instead to support them to achieve their full potential.
“I urge stakeholders in academia as well as parents not to discriminate against their children with disabilities but rather give them equal opportunities and support to enable them to realise their fullest potential in life,” he said.
The Chancellor of Koforidua Technical University, Kwesi Aduafo Yankey, expressed appreciation for the ambassador’s visit, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration and research.
“At Koforidua Technical University, we value research and development, and we are optimistic that the presence of the Spanish Ambassador will cement bilateral relations between Spain and Ghana, which will be done through KTU,” he said.
Mr. Yankey noted that several initiatives had already been undertaken between the Spanish Embassy and the university, including professional training programmes for lecturers.
“Such initiatives, Mr Ambassador, will also empower the students in whatever they do in the communities. The university is committed to taking proper care of persons with disabilities on campus and at the same time giving them equal opportunities like the able ones,” he said.
The event was attended by members of the university’s management and lecturers, students, queen mothers from the New Juaben Traditional Area, representatives of religious bodies and the public.
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