News
Provide support for spouses, parents of PLWDs
Being the spouse of a Person Living With Disability (PLWD) has been tough and frustrating, a wife of a blind man has disclosed.
Ms Aku Dza (not her real name) a resident of Ashaiman said more often than not, it was not the disability of the spouse which was emotionally depleting but the negative comments from family and friends.
She made the statement on Saturday in an interview with The Spectator on life of a spouse of a disabled person.
She has been married to the husband who is disabled seven years ago.
Ms Dza said her marriage had experienced its own ups and downs like many marriages but the toughest aspect has been when one feels his or her concern must be given priority.
Ms Dza said she was a petty trader who moved from one community to the other and house-to-house to sell her goods before she got married.
She said, however, after her second and third child, she was overwhelmed with catering for the children and her husband in addition to walking long distances.
She said as the ‘eyes’ of her husband, she had to assist him with his movements especially if it involves going out.
She said she was aware that her decision to settle with a person with disability was not going to be a walk in the park and so she had been reluctant to complain to anyone.
The-39-year old mother of three, however said a number of people who observed their struggles were always quick to give their unsolicited opinion about how they should live their lives.
She said she was on countless times advised to abandon the man and move on with her life to free herself of that burden.
Ms Dza said no one deserved to be treated in a bad way because they had a disability which happened through no fault of theirs.
She said although the marriage had been challenging, she had been motivated to stay with her husband because he was a good companion who also appreciated all her efforts towards the growth of the family.
She said although both of them were not currently working and compelled to fall on the benevolence of people for survival, she was hopeful that she would be able to raise some money so that she could start a business.
She said, she was unhappy that over the years, the society had not found it necessary to put measures in place to offer some sort of emotional supportto the spouses or parents of PLWDs.
This kind of support system, she said needed not to be financial but psychological and emotional support to ease the burden on them.
She said spouses needsome form of training or counselling about how to live with (PLWD) and handle their disabilities such that it did not take a toll on them.
She urged religious or traditional groups, the government and all public spirited persons to make it a habit to always support the needy.
From Dzifa Tetteh Tay, Ashaiman
The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has accepted an apology from the Minority leader in Parliament following allegations of corruption in the recruitment process of the security services.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, he indicated that the accusations were painful because they portrayed his actions in a way that suggested criminal wrongdoing.
“It is painful to be wrongly accused or for your actions to be misconstrued and labelled differently from your intention, especially when it is linked with criminality and serious wrongdoing,” he stated.
Mr Mubarak noted that although he was deeply hurt and worried by the allegations, he had decided to accept the apology wholeheartedly.
According to him, the issue should guide members of the House and public officials to focus on ensuring that the right things are done without attempting to destroy one another.
He assured the Minority that the Interior Ministry and the various security service commanders remain committed to transparency and accountability in their work.
The Minister added that the ministry would be ready to address any concerns raised by the Minority or other members of Parliament regarding recruitment into the security services.
He further appealed to the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to consider expunging from the parliamentary records the false comments.
Mr Mubarak expressed appreciation to the Speaker for handling the matter and emphasised the need for cooperation among members of Parliament to ensure fairness and proper oversight.
By: Jacob Aggrey
THE Gospel Advocates (TGA), a non-denominational evangelistic Christian organisation last Saturday donated a number of educational logistics to the Dodi Asantekrom Basic School in the Eastern region of Ghana.
The gesture was to mark the seventh anniversary of the organisation made up of professionals committed to preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to students in senior high schools, particularly in rural communities.
TGA also seeks to inspire students towards attaining academic excellence and guiding them towards optimising the various learning opportunities and academic programmes available at the tertiary level.
Among the items donated were 100 desks, 10 cupboards, 10 desktop computers, two laptops, 10 teachers’ tables and chairs and others.
The group also held its annual outreach programme that had a significant impact in the community through initiatives such as feeding 500 children with hot meals and assorted drinks, providing free medical screening and drugs for 500 adults and youth and conducting health education and sensitisation for both children and adults.
TGA also took upon itself to restock the community clinic with essential medicines and distributed food items, plastic bowls, cups and clothing to members of the community.
The initiative, according to officials of the group, was supported by ORSAM Limited, Doctors Save Lives Foundation, Johnson Tord Foundation, El-Shaddai Mothercare, Exceed Alliance Limited, GB Foods Ghana Limited, Qualiplast Limited, Phyto-Riker (Gihoc) Pharmaceuticals Limited, Cosa Bright Ghana, Kabs Pharmacy, Tobinco Pharmaceuticals, Pill Bay Pharmacy and Bamah 3.7.7.
“We are deeply grateful for their immense support and partnership in bringing hope, relief, and practical assistance to the people of Dodi Asantekrom,” the officials said.
In a statement, the President and Chairman of The Gospel Advocates, Mr. Selom Kpikpitse, said the donation to Dodi Asantekrom forms part of TGA’s broader mission to propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ among students and youth in rural communities through teachings, music and arts.
He explained that the meals provided to over 500 pupils were in line with the organization’s annual “Feed the Kidz Project,” which demonstrates Christ’s love.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school, the Headmaster, Mr. Otumfour Newton, expressed gratitude to TGA and its sponsors, saying that “the items would significantly enhance teaching and learning while improving the overall welfare and development of the pupils.”
Mr. Newton also commended the team for the free medical screenings for adults and youth in the community, and other community engagements.
Medical supplies were also donated to the Dodi Asantekrom CHPS compound and received on behalf of the facility by Mr. Amefu, a Physician Assistant.
By Spectator Reporter
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