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Dr Mahamdu Bawumia, Vice President
The Vice-President and NPP Flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has pledged to eliminate residential and tuition fees for all Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) attending tertiary institutions, if elected President in the upcoming general elections.
Dr. Bawumia made the pledge during his Western regional campaign tour, while addressing the Western Regional House of Chiefs.
According to the 2021 Ghana Population and Housing Census report, persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Ghana constituted about 8% (2,098,138) of the country’s population of 30,832,019, a significant statistics from which qualified persons could access this policy.
Dr. Bawumia said by reallocating some funds from the Scholarship Secretariat and the Ghana Education Trust Fund, it would ensure that financial barriers do not hinder the academic pursuits of persons with disabilities.
“I believe that we have to support Persons with Disabilities a bit more… I want us to dedicate some of the monies from the Scholarship secretariat and the GetFund to provide free tertiary education, covering tuition and accommodation, to all persons with disabilities who enroll into universities,” he stated.
According to him, the benefits of this policy would be manifold. Apart from removing the financial burden for persons with disabilities and their families, he mentioned, it would allow the PWDs to pursue higher education without worrying about cost.
He added that it would also promote diversity and representation within tertiary institutions, enriching the academic environment and fostering greater understanding and acceptance of disability issues.
Dr. Bawumia said the initiative aligns with broader efforts to promote social justice and equity, enhancing Ghana’s standing as a champion of inclusive education policies.
Mining licensing
Meanwhile, Dr Bawumia has also unveiled plans to deepen the involvement of traditional leaders in mining licensing regimes. He stressed that the proposed move aims to involve traditional rulers in the mineral licensing process, ensuring their participation before any mining activities commence in a specific area.
The Vice- President highlighted the importance of chiefs in the decision-making process concerning mineral resources and their impact on local communities.
Dr Bawumia said the policy seeks to incorporate chiefs into his broader mining industry formalisation programme, in recognition of their influence and important role at the local level.
The proposal, Dr. Bawumia maintained, would help streamline the mining sector, and ensure that chiefs play a significant role in the licensing of miners.
He pointed out that involving chiefs in the mineral licensing process would foster greater collaboration among the government, mining companies, and local communities.
He also emphasised the need for a more inclusive approach that considers the interests of all stakeholders, particularly chiefs, who, he noted, represent their communities’ interests.