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Negative cultural practices, bane of PWDs – GFDOs President
GFDOs president
The national president of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFDOs), Mr Joseph Atsu Homadzi says life is becoming unbearable for People with Disabilities (PWDs) due to unhealthy cultural and traditional practices in some parts of society in this modern age and advancement.
According to him, “Some people even feel that we don’t deserve to live because of one disability or the other. As a result, mothers who have children with disability live in fear and discomfort.”
Mr Homadzi said this in a no-holds-barred interview with The Spectator about a day in the life of a PWD.
“Sometimes, it feels as though the fundamental human rights and freedoms of citizens guaranteed under the 1992 Constitution do not apply to PWDs because we are always discriminated against at all levels,” he lamented.
“Saddest of all, it may surprise you that some communities in this age still have some of these negative cultural practices against persons with albinism. Some people feel that such persons do not have the right to live because they are a taboo.”
According to Mr. Homadzi, he still receives complaints of discrimination against their members in the health and education sectors, the job market and other places.
“And I know it’s true because I suffer same. People treat us as if we are second-class citizens and do not want us to be close to them for any reason,” he disclosed.
“In some communities, it is believed that when you are going out in the morning for any activity and you meet a person or somebody with a visual impairment, it means a misfortune is about to befall you; for which reason you must return home” he said.
“People are still convinced that disability is a curse or punishment for a wrong a person has done and so we are treated with contempt. Some think associating with us could lead to a curse or punishment.”
Unfortunately, he disclosed that the GFDOs efforts to educate people to do away with such unfortunate practices have been in vain.
“We have disabilities but there is a lot we can do for this country if we are given the same opportunities as those who have no disabilities. It is sad to say that some people don’t understand why a PWD should be given a job or occupy a high position. We also have the capacity to contribute to the growth of our societies,” he said.
Mr Homadzi said it was important for society to also understand that apart from being born with a deformity, there were environmental accidents and a few medical conditions like glaucoma, measles, cataract that could make a person blind or deaf or both.
“We have told our stories in different ways but people have failed to accept us. We need everyone who has a louder voice to speak for us. We need the media to do a lot of advocacy and education on our behalf to change those perceptions,” he appealed.
He said the GFDOs would be happy to see religious institutions highlight their plights from their pulpits to turn the hearts of society in their favour.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Tema
Madam Sandra Seyram Kpedor, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Anloga in the Volta Region, has emphasised the importance of parental involvement in children’s education, stating that education is free, but parents need to do more to support their children.
She said parents, teachers, and students must be involved in addressing the challenges facing the district’s education sector, particularly the poor Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) results.
Madam Kpedor outlined some key roles parents should play to promote their children’s education, including providing a conducive learning environment, monitoring their children’s progress, and supporting teachers.
The DCE highlighted some challenges the district faced such as inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of teachers, which have also contributed to the poor BECE results and called on well-to-do parent to help solve the situation through and other supports.
To address the issues, she also announced that plans have been taken to utilise the district’s common fund to implement educational projects, such as constructing school blocks and teachers’ bungalows at Sodzi community, and 2-unit classroom blocks each at Akplorwutorkor and Tegbi-Afedome respectively, among others.
Madam Kpedor also noted that her office had earlier notified the Ministry of Education to deploy more teachers to the area to improve teaching and learning, and encouraged students to work hard and strive for excellence, and work beyond their limit to succeed.
“To my wonderful and beautiful girls, you have to know it clear that women and girls have equal opportunities to compete with men for greater achievements,” she indicated.
The DCE cited her own achievement as a testament to the fact that women can excel in leadership positions, alongside Vice President Nana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, and stressed that girls were no longer limited to domestic roles but can pursue their dreams and become leaders.
Additionally, she mentioned that a meeting was held earlier with assembly members, and other stakeholders to address the district’s educational challenges and improve academic performance.
She promised that the district’s education oversight committee and stakeholders would work together to address the challenges and improve the district’s BECE results and called for parental involvement and support to boost the district’s education sector for children to chase their dreams to become future leaders for the success of the district and the nation.
She urged parents not to leave everything to the government but rather help in the provision of some necessary materials such as textbooks, exercise books, pens, pencils, food, and guidance to children for the successes of young learners. –GNA
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The spokesperson for Dr. Bawumia, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, has criticised the implementation of the NDC government’s No Fee Stress policy, arguing that the programme has failed to deliver on its core promise.
According to him on Starr fm, the policy, which was introduced to ensure stress free payment of fees for level 100 tertiary students, has rather turned into what he described as post stress support.
He explained that students are required to pay their fees first before applying for reimbursement, a situation he believes defeats the purpose of the policy.
He questioned claims by government officials that the policy has been successful and that citizens are happy.
In his view, such claims do not reflect the lived realities of many Ghanaians. He stressed that while some people may appear satisfied, many others continue to struggle.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye pointed to the situation of trained teachers and nurses who have been picketing for nearly six months, demanding employment.
He noted that government responses suggesting it cannot accommodate all of them contradict claims of economic stability.
He further argued that economic indicators such as a stable currency mean little to people who are unable to secure jobs or access promised support.
He observed that telling an unemployed teacher or a struggling student that the cedi has strengthened does not address their immediate challenges.
On the issue of tertiary education, he maintained that no level 100 student benefited from stress free fees in 2025, despite the policy being announced.
He added that in 2026, students have already reported to school without receiving the promised support.
He insisted that asking students to pay fees first and seek reimbursement later amounts to support after hardship, not stress free education.
According to him, this approach goes against what was promised during the policy announcement.
Dennis Miracles Aboagye questioned why a government that presents the economy as strong is unable to fulfil what he described as simple and clear promises.
He added that there is a fundamental problem with the way the economy is being managed and indicated that he is prepared to explain his position further.
By: Jacob Aggrey
