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‘Lack of respect threat to blind community’
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A visually impaired retired Public Servant has said that lack of social etiquette by some family members posed a serious challenge to the blind community.
According to her, some disparaging remarks from family members with regard to their condition had deprived some physically challenged persons of wives and husbands.
“Contemptible remarks from family members of potential spouses is robbing the blind community of quality men and women.
“Sickness or illness does not discriminate and can attack anybody at any point in times: It is inevitable”.
Speaking in an interview with The Spectator on condition of anonymity last Saturday, the retiree disclosed that she was not blind at the time of marriage but was struck by sickness resulting in her predicament.
“No one knows what tomorrow brings in life so let us love one another and be each other’s keeper. What has happened to me can happen to anyone because blindness is not sold for people to buy,” she said.
She observed over the years that some families would go every length to discourage their members from marrying blind people because they felt they were not good marriage material.
She said it was important to accord persons who had lost their sight the respect and dignity they deserved like all humans.
The retired public servant stated that some families used various means namely emotional blackmail, threats even to the extent of disowning them and leaving some of the people with no choice but to abandon the thought of marrying a blind person.
She said it was disheartening that these physically challenged were men and women who were responsible and gainfully employed with other enviable qualities but just because they had lost their sight, they were not given a chance to get married to their preferred partners.
She pointed out that even in the case of blind men, it was better as compared with blind women, who sometimes found it very difficult to get husbands.
She said some blind women had to settle with some blind men or give up completely on marriage to prevent any inconvenience from the family and friends of their potential spouses.
She said such rigid stance by the society was unfortunate and not doing anybody any good and therefore appealed for a change in behaviour explaining that people should be judged on their potentials not their physical disabilities because some people might not be physically challenged but could be the worse spouses.
She gave a reminder that even sighted people asked for help to manage their homes and take care of their families so the case of the disabled persons should not be seen as something that was out of the ordinary if they also asked for help.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema.
Businessman Mr. Ibrahim Mahama has denied reports linking him to a takeover bid for the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO).
His reaction follows a demonstration by members of the VALCO Labour Union today, during which some protesters alleged that Mr. Mahama was interested in acquiring the state-owned aluminium company.
In a statement issued by his Special Aide, Rafik Mahama, the businessman said he has “no such interest” and has not made any offer to acquire VALCO.
“The allegation is the latest in several vile attempts to impute the integrity of Mr. Ibrahim Mahama and subject him to needless public engagements,” the statement said.
The statement added that Mr. Mahama’s business track record speaks for itself, describing his companies as “some of the best-run operations across the African continent.”
It further noted that all of Mr. Mahama’s business interests were “legally commenced or acquired” and operate within the law a fact it said explains why his businesses have endured across seven election cycles.
“Mr. Mahama remains committed to contributing his quota to the development of Ghana by investing in business opportunities in Ghana and beyond,” the statement added.
The statement also disclosed that Mr. Mahama has instructed his lawyers to take the necessary legal action over the publication and allegations.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The leadership of Kristo Asafo has dismissed reports circulating on social media and in some media outlets that the late Apostle Kwadwo Safo Kantanka will be buried on July 30, 2026, describing the claim as false.
The current head of the Kantanka family and leader of Kristo Asafo, Kwadwo Safo Akofena Kantanka, addressed the issue during a press conference in Accra today.
He said no burial date has been set and urged members of the church and the general public to disregard any unofficial announcements.
“I urge the members of Kristo Asafo and the nation to disregard any burial date out there,” Akofena said.
He further stressed that neither the leadership of the church nor the Kantanka family has made any such announcement regarding the funeral.
According to him, all official funeral arrangements will be communicated only through a formal statement from the Kantanka family when the time is due.
Akofena Safo Kantanka said the family remains united in ensuring that the final funeral rites are conducted in a manner that befits the legacy of the late Apostle.
He called on Ghanaians to remain calm and wait for the official communication from the family, warning against the spread of misinformation.
Background
Apostle Dr. Ing. Kwadwo Safo Kantanka, founder and spiritual leader of Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana, passed away recently, plunging the church and the nation into mourning.
The late Apostle was widely known not only as a religious leader but also as an industrialist, inventor, and founder of the Kantanka Group of Companies, which manufactures vehicles and other machinery in Ghana.
Since his passing, there has been heightened public interest in his funeral arrangements.
It would be recalled that a faction of the siblings and family led by former MP Adwoa Safo had earlier announced a proposed burial date and arrangements.
That announcement, however, has been rejected by the current leadership of both the church and the family.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
