Participants of the play in a group picture
Necessary Aid Alliance (NAA), a youth-led not-for-profit organization, has fostered a culture of social inclusion for persons with disabilities (PWDs) by staging a drama piece.
The drama, titled "Tezaawanuba," which translates to "We are all human," was staged under the Tezaawanuba project, implemented in the Upper West Region by the NAA under a grant from the Plan International Ghana Youth Challenge Fund.
It was performed before audiences at Tanina and Polee communities in the Wa
West District of the Upper West Region.
Addressing community members at the event, the Project Coordinator, Shazia
Ahmed Ismail said the project was aimed at promoting and protecting the rights of persons living with disabilities to enable them to enjoy their inalienable human rights and all other entitlements as members of society.
She added that the project sought to create an inclusive environment to enable PWDs to participate meaningfully in society without any forms of stigma or discrimination.
Ms. Ismail said the drama sought to expose the challenges, acts of neglect, and continuous discrimination that PWDs face in their communities, which hinder their meaningful participation in the affairs of the community.
She also said the drama served to highlight the roles of community members in
protecting PWD rights and promoting their social inclusion, emphasizing respect and dignity.
She hinted that the Tezaawanuba drama would be performed in eight selected
communities across three districts, including Wa East and Wa East districts and Wa Municipal, all in the Upper West Region.
The Upper West Regional Secretary of the Disability Federation, Seidu
Kamwininaani Ibrahim urged members of the communities to not "hide" their children who are identified with some disabilities but to "bring them out" to realize their potential.
He said children, in spite of their disability condition, should be enrolled in school and treated with love to enable them to unearth their God-given talents and contribute to society.
Citing himself as an example and as parts of the drama depicted, Mr. Kamwininaani said he did not allow his visual impairment to discourage him but rather took inspiration from the saying that "disability is not necessarily inability."
He urged the people to turn away from stigmatizing PWDs and treat them with dignity, honour, and respect, as they are also humans.
The attendees beamed in excitement amidst falling into deep introspection about every act and scene of the theatrical piece, which was performed with vigour and vitality.
"I've come to realize that God created every person uniquely with special abilities, so whether abled or disabled, we are all humans, and we should respect and love one another. I want to add that if you're afflicted with some calamity, you need to associate with good friends and family," Salih Yakubu, a resident of Tanina, said.
"From the drama, I have learned valuable lessons. If I come across a disabled person, I will treat him or her with dignity and respect," a resident from Polee said.
On his part, the Assembly Member of the Tanina Electoral Area, Mahama Abdul
Fatawu expressed gratitude to the Necessary Aid Alliance and its partners for their education.
Each community saw the convening of over one hundred people who gathered to watch the theatrical piece, show solidarity with PWDs, and take action to promote and protect the rights of PWDs and offer an atmosphere of inclusivity in their communities.
