Historically, people with disabilities have been denied fundamental human and civil rights. Therefore, when the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution for the observation of World Disability Day on December 3 every year, the understanding one got was that of a desire by world leaders to change moral consciousness; in a view to reshaping society’s perceptions about persons with disabilities.
And as with other special days of action and observance, the World Disability Day was created and institutionalised to promote an understanding of disability issues and also to mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities (PWDs). This was crucial because PWDs represent such a significant portion of the population, and were more likely to live in poverty than their abled peers.
Disadavantaged
Therefore, ensuring that we are integrated into all development activities, including the Millennium Development Goals, is critical.
The sad truth, however is that; in many – if not all –societies, PWDs continue to face marginalisation, lack of opportunities and often severe and cyclical-poverty as a result of stigma, prejudice and other societal barriers to their development. In fact, PWDs, along with their families and friends, perpetually experience systemic disadvantage.
I must at this point commend the person(s) who established Alive and Kicking (A&K); a charitable social enterprise making sports balls in Ghana. I am particularly happy about this enterprise because out of the 16 employees working for this organisation, 10 of them are PWDs. And they didn’t just employ them; but also provided them with four All-Terrain Wheelchairs (ATW) to assist them get to work on a daily basis.
Can one imagine if this were to be some other Ghanaian establishment! I can guarantee with all certainty that not one disabled person would have even had the opportunity to know about this enterprise, let alone be employed. Why do we do this to a set of Ghanaians whose “guilt” is that they walk, talk, see and, or behave differently?
Effective systems
We must always remember that, disability like death; is closer to us than we can imagine. Life is fragile and can change in a split of a second. People are becoming disabled on a daily basis through accidents and the development of chronic diseases - both physical and mental. Everybody is only “temporarily- able”, and that’s a fact.
Once effectively working systems are put in place and there is equal opportunity and accessibility, persons who become impaired in the future will not even realise they are because; they will get adequate education, jobs, good health services, and a ride to where they need to go or even a date.
I am humbly requesting the government to as a matter of urgency; set out new and even more personalised and tailored support policies for PWDs in Ghana. And like the legendary Bob Marley said in one of his songs – “He who feels it, knows it”.
Most often than not, policies and programmes are made on behalf of PWDs without our full participation. that should no longer be the case. Persons with disabilities are in the best position to guide, direct and control programmes and services affecting their lives and independence. We are therefore, resolute in our demand that; nothing must be done about us or for us without us.
Ideally, we want to live in a dignified and inclusive society where we have the confidence and self esteem through opportunities that our nondisabled peers take for granted to contribute to the growth of our economy.
I guess there is enough time between now and December, 2016 for the government to demonstrably initiate a practical application of policies that will bring about equity, efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery aimed at improving our living standards.
The year 2016 will see the end of the 10-year moratorium for all public buildings to be made accessible to PWDs under the Disability Act (715) of 2006.
The cry of PWDs in Ghana has been longer and louder than those that made the government create the Ministry of Power and the apt solution to Ebola and I believe the President will apply the same resourcefulness and tenacity, to create a separate Ministry for PWDs in Ghana.
PWDs have been waiting for many years for change, and frankly, we cannot and will not wait any longer. We are 10 per cent of the population of Ghana thus, 2.5 million and so PWDs cannot be taken for granted.
Disability cannot, and must not continue to be an afterthought on the conscience of this nation.
We must always be guided by what Jesus the Christ said in Mathew 25:45 - “Then shall he answer them,saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as you did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me”.
God bless Ghana.
The writer is with the Ghana Society of the Physically Challenged, New Juaben-Koforidua 0208125785 / 0547734007 Email:
