Editorial
Educate children to respect people with disabilities
In Ghana, people with disabilities (PWDs) still face a variety of discriminatory practices and social exclusion, despite the fact that they should have equal access to opportunities and services as people without disabilities.
Disability discrimination occurs when someone with a disability faces less favourable treatment in the same or comparable conditions than someone without the disability.
PWDs for example, must work, attend school, and have access to healthcare. Access to certain services like rehabilitation and assistive technology like wheelchairs and braille materials is also necessary for them.
Sadly, PWDs frequently face discrimination, prejudice, and stigma, even in the face of several anti-discrimination legislation designed to uphold their rights and encourage their involvement in mainstream society.
For example, the Persons with Disability Act, 715, was passed in 2006 with the intention of establishing the legal framework necessary to advance and safeguard the rights of PWDs, particularly women and girls with disabilities.
However, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) 2012 report PWDs, who make up an estimated three percent of Ghana’s 25 million inhabitants, are among the most marginalised groups in the country.
These views may originate from people’s conceptions of disability in society, which may include views of disability as a personal tragedy, a disease that must be healed or avoided, a penalty for misbehaviour, or a sign that a person is incapable of acting in a way that is expected of them.
It is imperative that the general public, particularly young people, be made more aware of the needs and struggles of people with disabilities, and that an open discourse and sense of empathy be fostered.
In light of this, the Spectator praises the opinions of Ms. Martha Awuley Lartey, a PWD advocate and the district coordinator of the Church of Pentecost’s Ministry to Persons with Disability (MPWD) at the New Moneomanye District in Ashaiman.
According to her, young children should be made aware of the need to fight discrimination against PWDs so that they might grow up believing that God loves PWDs and spreading this message to their peers to help improve the lives of all PWDs.
Ms Lartey believed that more active advocacy was needed in churches and schools, particularly through children’s programmes, to encourage more people to be responsible around PWDs.
She said that people may become incapacitated due to medical malpractice, domestic mishaps, car crashes, or other circumstances that are beyond their control and that children should be made aware of these.
In The Spectator’s opinion children who were well-informed, would hardly ever treat their classmates with disabilities disrespectfully. Rather, they will treat everyone the way they want to be treated.
We implore the government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), philanthropists, schools, and religious organisations, among others, to prioritise meeting the needs of PWDs so they can lead fulfilling lives.
Editorial
Employ pros at local government level to address sanitation issues
Dear Editor,
In a car on my way to work on Tuesday, I listened to an interview on sanitation on a radio station which a local government expert said that most of the people that handled waste management issues at the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies, were not waste management professionals but health professionals.
According to the speaker, this has contributed to the failure to address the sanitation problems, especially at the local level.
These health professionals who have been tasked to oversee waste management are only occupied with the health related dangers but have no clue on the issues at hand.
I felt very sad and found it disturbing as to why people without professional training in waste management is given responsibilities in a field alien to him.
Waste management involves a lot of processes, including segmentation of waste products as well as recycling.
Employers must know that waste management professionals at the local level was important as it helps making decisions ton how to combat it.
This is not a problem at the local government level alone. It is something across the various sectors.
Maybe this is the time for us as a country to start recruiting qualified professionals to occupy their respective fields to bring their competence to the table to solve whatever problem persist.
It is clearly a case of putting ‘square pegs in round holes.’ I believe it is about time we change that narrative and employ professionals who are qualified to find solutions to our waste management conundrum.
Baba Hafiz, Kasoa
Editorial
Concern over mentally ill persons roaming Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange
Dear Sir
I write to express my concern over the growing number of mentally ill individuals roaming the Kwame Nkrumah Circle Interchange in Accra.
This area, a vital transportation hub and commercial centre, has increasingly become home to several persons visibly suffering from mental health issues, often without adequate care or supervision.
This situation poses risks both to the affected individuals and the general public. Some of these individuals are exposed to traffic hazards, unsanitary conditions, and in some cases, hostile treatment from passersby.
There have also been reports of occasional erratic behaviour, which causes fear and discomfort among commuters and vendors.
Mental health is a public health issue, and these individuals deserve compassion, medical attention, and a safe environment.
I urge the Ministry of Health, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly, and relevant NGOs to collaborate on a sustainable solution including mental health outreach programmes, rehabilitation, and safe housing.
Kwame Nkrumah Circle should be a symbol of progress, not a place where the vulnerable are left to struggle. Let us act with urgency and humanity.
From John Boateng
Kwame Nkrumah Circle
