Friends of Bawumia 2008 has donated food items and other essential supplies to the Accra Rehabilitation Centre on behalf of former Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia as part of activities marking his 63rd birthday.

The donation included 10 bags of rice, tubers of yam, bottled water, toilet rolls, baskets of tomatoes, garden eggs, crates of eggs and detergents, among other essential items.

Speaking during the presentation, the Chief Operating Officer of Friends of Bawumia 2008, Barbra Macara Marcogun, said the gesture was intended to support the daily needs and welfare of persons at the centre.

She said the group considered it important to mark Dr Bawumia’s birthday by reaching out to the Accra Rehabilitation Centre and supporting its beneficiaries.

Ms Marcogun also called on the public to support persons with disabilities and other vulnerable people, stressing that their welfare should be a collective responsibility.

She urged individuals, organisations and institutions to contribute in various ways to improve the living conditions and well-being of persons at rehabilitation centres.

She further called for stronger enforcement of disability laws to ensure that public facilities are accessible and friendly to persons with disabilities.

According to her, although policies and laws exist to protect persons with disabilities, more needs to be done to ensure their effective implementation.

“The disability laws have been overlooked. Let’s strengthen the policies and enforce them to make access to facilities friendly for persons with disabilities,” she said.

Ms Marcogun stressed that support for persons with disabilities should go beyond occasional donations.

She urged the public to consistently demonstrate care and provide the necessary assistance to enable persons with disabilities to live with dignity.