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Negative cultural practices, bane of PWDs – GFDOs President
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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
African leaders have been urged to strengthen political commitment and domestic investment to end preventable maternal deaths and AIDS by 2030.
The call comes as African health ministers and policymakers meet in Accra to deliberate on health financing, health security and universal health coverage across the continent.
Mr Edouard Bizimana, Burundi’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Development Cooperation, made the call on Tuesday at the opening of the African Union’s (AU) 25th Extraordinary Summit on Health in Accra.
He said Africa needed increased domestic investment to build resilient health systems as it continued to grapple with infectious diseases and the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Mr Bizimana, who is also Chairperson of the AU Executive Council, said although Africa accounted for nearly 17 per cent of the world’s population, it bore 24 per cent of the global disease burden while having less than three per cent of the global health workforce and only one per cent of global health expenditure.
“Despite maternal mortality declining by nearly 40 per cent since 2000, Africa still accounts for about 70 per cent of maternal deaths globally, while almost two-thirds of people living with HIV reside on the continent,” he said.
Mr Bizimana said the growing burden of NCDs was placing additional pressure on already stretched health systems.
“These figures are not merely statistics. They represent painful human realities, preventable losses and unacceptable inequalities, they remind us that health is not an expense it is a strategic investment and a prerequisite for our sovereignty and development. “he said.
Mr Bizimana said recent global health emergencies had exposed Africa’s vulnerability and underscored the need to expand local production of medicines and vaccines, strengthen the health workforce and improve emergency preparedness.
“Our citizens expect resilient health systems where every mother can give birth safely, every child has access to essential healthcare and every African enjoys quality health services regardless of where they live,” he said.
The two-day summit, being held ahead of the 20th Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, has brought together health ministers, policymakers and health stakeholders to identify solutions to Africa’s health financing and security challenges.
Madam Florence Samizi, Tanzania’s Deputy Health Minister, called for stronger collaboration among AU Member States to accelerate progress towards universal health coverage.
The summit is being held on the theme: “Advancing Justice, Equality and Universal Health Coverage: Ending AIDS, Tuberculosis, Improving Maternal Health, Addressing Endemic Non-Communicable and Neglected Tropical Diseases in Africa.”
The meeting is expected to adopt the Accra Declaration, a roadmap to strengthen Africa’s health systems and advance health sovereignty by 2030. -GNA
Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana’s Department of Political Science, Dr. Joshua Jebuntie Zaato says the imprisonment of the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi, will have little meaning unless it leads to a broader crackdown on illegal mining.
In a post on his Facebook page on the July 21, 2026, Dr. Zaato said the judgment should mark the beginning of efforts to completely eradicate galamsey and hold all those involved accountable, regardless of their political affiliation.
He said the country must work towards restoring polluted rivers, protecting forests and ensuring that people implicated in illegal mining activities are prosecuted.
According to him, those the President has publicly acknowledged to be involved in galamsey should face prosecution.
He called for the prosecution of district chief executives (DCEs), members of Parliament (MPs) and senior political party officials who have been accused of engaging in or supporting illegal mining.
Dr. Zaato further urged the government to take decisive action to end the destruction of the country’s forests caused by galamsey.
He maintained that the imprisonment of Chairman Wontumi would only have a lasting impact if it results in a comprehensive and impartial fight against illegal mining across the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
