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Negative cultural practices, bane of PWDs – GFDOs President

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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.

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“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.

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“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.

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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

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Justin Kodua Frimpong files nomination to seek re-election as NPP General Secretary

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General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.

He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.

Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.

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“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.

He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.

“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.

His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.

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The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.

The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

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The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.

In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.

The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.

According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.

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UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.

The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.

It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.

UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.

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The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.

The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.

Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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