Editorial
Provide Facilities for Children with Limb Deformities
Every child, including those with disabilities, has the fundamental right to elementary education and training, enabling them to develop their maximum potential and become self-reliant.
Unfortunately, despite provisions in the Persons with Disability Act 2006 (Act 715), children with limb deformities are often denied admission to schools due to their physical conditions, even when they show eagerness and capability to learn.
Limb deformities refer to abnormalities related to the growth and development of the arms or legs. As a result, parents of affected children are advocating for an increase in trained teachers and the provision of facilities in schools to accommodate these learners.
A parent shared with The Spectator that his daughter is highly talented but is being denied admission due to her disability. He also noted the difficulties in accessing health care for children with limb deformities. Another parent highlighted the emotional toll, stating that children are often teased or mocked by peers, leading to psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
According to statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, over 90% of children with disabilities in low-income countries do not attend school.
The concerns of parents are backed by Ghanaian law, including the 1992 Constitution, the Children’s Act of 1998 (Act 560), and the Persons with Disability Act 2006 (Act 715). These laws guarantee children with disabilities the right to education, non-discrimination, dignity, social participation, special care, and protection from exploitation and abuse.
Despite these legal protections, implementation gaps due to inadequate monitoring and enforcement continue to deny many children access to education.
Many children can benefit from simple accommodations and modifications in schools, while others may require specialized, individualized support from special education professionals to help them learn and thrive.
Parents play a pivotal role as primary caregivers and advocates, supporting their children’s independence, encouraging mobility, and assisting with practical tasks.
It is also crucial for the government to provide social support by establishing more specialized orthopedic hospitals across the country to ease the burden on parents.
Addressing these barriers ensures that children with disabilities can participate in education and develop holistically, fulfilling their potential while contributing meaningfully to society.
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Dear Editor,
It is often said that a healthy nation is a wealthy nation. However, this saying becomes worrying when the health of citizens is threatened by the conditions under which the food they consume daily is sold.
In Ghana, the conditions under which food is sold is quite disturbing. Over the years, I have observed that the environments where food is prepared and sold are often unhygienic.
In many cases, containers holding food such as rice and waakye are left uncovered or not properly covered, exposing them to contamination.
While many Ghanaians paid little attention in the past to the conditions under which food was sold, the narrative seems to be changing in recent years.
I recall an incident during my days in Senior High School (S.H.S.) when my friends and I went out to buy food. At one location, some of us chose not to buy because we assumed the food would be expensive due to how neat the place looked.
Unfortunately, we ended up purchasing food from a different place that was somewhat unhygienic. We overlooked the poor conditions because we believed the quantity offered was better than at the cleaner location.
However, I am certain that my friends and I would not repeat such a mistake today, as we now understand the health implications of that decision.
While public education is important in addressing this issue, I believe it is time for regulatory and law enforcement agencies, such as the Food and Drug Authority (FDA), to crack the whip on food sellers and vendors who operate in unhygienic environments and conditions.
As citizens, we must also be mindful of where we buy our food to protect ourselves and our families from diseases and illnesses. We should choose ‘quality’ over ‘quantity’ and prioritize our health.
From Syram
Oyarifa
Dear Editor,
I write to express concern and call for improved security measures before and after every football match.
The recent robbery attack that led to the tragic death of a player, on their return from a Match day 29 game against Samartex, is both shocking and heartbreaking.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 10:30 p.m., highlights the growing risks faced by players and team officials while traveling.
Football is meant to unite and entertain, not to expose lives to danger. It is therefore imperative that authorities, the Ghana Football Association, and security agencies put in place adequate protection for teams, especially during late-night travels.
I strongly urge all stakeholders to treat this matter with urgency to prevent such unfortunate incidents from recurring.
From Eugene Ampiaw
Accra
