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 24 Hour Economy Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Hunan Architectural Design Institute Group to support the planning of the Volta Economic Corridor.
The agreement aims to guide how land within the corridor will be used, design key infrastructure, and develop systems that will support large scale production.
The partnership will focus on detailed planning to make the area ready for investment and smooth business operations.
The project will include the development of agroecological parks, industrial zones, and transport networks to connect production centres to markets.
According to the Authority, proper planning is critical to building strong economic systems and expanding production across the corridor.
It noted that the collaboration with the Chinese design firm will help lay a solid foundation for industrial growth and long term development within the Volta Economic Corridor.
By: Jacob Aggrey
President of the Ghana Bar Association, Efua Ghartey, has called on judges and lawyers to carry out their duties with humility, fairness, and a strong sense of responsibility.
She made the appeal during the Supreme Court at 150 celebration held at the University of Ghana, under the theme “Honouring the past, celebrating the present and defining the future.”
Addressing participants, she noted that those in the legal profession occupy positions of great power and influence, and must therefore remain humble in the discharge of their duties.
She urged both the bench and the bar to deliver justice without fear or ill will, stressing the need for fairness in handling cases.
Reflecting on the significance of the celebration, she explained that the year 1876 marks not only the establishment of the Supreme Court but also the beginning of formally trained lawyers in the Gold Coast.
The GBA President questioned what Ghana would be without the rule of law, which is upheld by judges and lawyers, adding that the country could descend into a system where only the strongest survive if justice is not properly administered.
She further encouraged legal practitioners to reflect on their responsibilities and remain committed to upholding the rule of law for the benefit of all citizens.
By: Jacob Aggrey
