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