Allow PWDs to become chiefs - Adabraka Atupai Mantse

The Adabraka Atupai Mantse, Nii Adiabeng II says Persons with Disability (PWDs) from royal families must be allowed to become chiefs should the mantle fall on them to rule their people.

According to him, over the years, he has not seen PWDs enstooled or enskinned   in Ghana, although they have the ability to rule their people.

Speaking to Graphic Online in Accra on Tuesday, Nii Adiabeng II said PWDs should not be denied the privilege of contributing their quota to the socio-economic development of their communities and the country at large as traditional leaders.

“For example if through accident chief become disabled should that call for him to be replaced as a chief. What about child who are enstooled as chief. He has an early person who rules on his behalf, likewise a chief who is too old to move about. But any decision taking He must endorse it. So what is the different between them and PWDs? He questioned.

He therefore stressed that if the person is mature enough to contribute to improving the standard of living of his people, nothing should stop him from doing so.

He added that, “Being a disabled person does not mean you are not able, I have seen disables who are lecturers, who are managers and they are contributing their quota to socio-economic of an area.  For example when you go to some offices you see some disabled persons who are learned who are contributing to the growth of the company or where they are” he said.

The chief, who said he has a number of PWDs as friends, believes a time is coming when they will be given the opportunity to lead their communities.

Nii Adiabeng II therefore called on parliament to enact a law that would permit PWDS to become traditional leaders.