Persons living with disability within Wum Municipality, joined their peers nation and world wide to observe the 2020 International Day of Persons with disabilities. The Day was celebrated under the auspices of the Divisional Delegation of Social Affairs for Menchum, whose Delegate, Mr. Akah Emmanuel, could be seen very satisfied for the successful celebration, in COVID-19era.
He used the celebration to reiterate the need to respect the barrier measures put in place by the government.
The annual observance of the International Day of PWDs, was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nation's General Assembly resolution 47/3. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
Celebrated under the auspices of the Divisional Delegation of Social Affairs for Menchum, the main programme of the observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at the Wum town Hall included the Opening and a discourse on this year's theme, "Not all disabilities are visible."
Welcoming all, the 1st Deputy Mayor of Wum council, Councillor Hamza Umaru, reminded the assistance, on the important role of the council to promote a disability inclusive society, for a sustainable inclusive development within the municipality. This to him, is visible through the convention signed with the Socio-economic Empowerment of Persons with disabilities SEEPD program of the CBC Health Board.
He further told them that there is a disability focal person at the level of the council who helps pwds with information pertaining to the alleviation of their plight, by making sure they are supported.
Speaking on behalf of PWDs, Elvis Kambela Chi, President of the CUPWDs in Menchum Division, thanked the Cameroon government through the Wum Council and the Ministry of Social Affairs, for the commendable efforts they all make to see that life is worth liveable by PWDs. He also enumerated the difficulties they encounter, such as lack of access to some buildings before adding;
"the lack of a workshop to enable persons with disabilities, to produce
market equipments which could enable us yield income on daily basis. This can greatly reduce the rate of poverty among us".
Responding to the worries of PWDs, the Divisional Officer for Wum Subdivision, Mr. Kouékam Guy Honoré, reassured them of the government support as well as other partners, to see into it that sustainable inclusive development is a reality.
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