Parents advised not to discriminate against children with disabilities

Mr. Israel Akrobortu, the acting Upper West Regional Director of the Department of Children, has advised parents not to discriminate against children with disabilities but rather support them to realise their full potentials.

He also appealed to communities to show positive social attitudes towards these unfortunate children by reducing the stigmatization and discrimination against them.

Mr. Akrobortu said this during a community sensitization programme to mark this year’s National Children’s Day celebration at Gbache in the Wa West District of the Upper West Region.

The event was on the theme: “The Right of Children with Disabilities: The Role of the Community”.

Mr. Akrobortu said this year, the day was being celebrated to help raise awareness on the conditions of persons with disabilities and mobilise communities to take up their responsibilities towards children with disabilities.

He said the event also sought to foster greater collaboration and networking among child related stakeholders in order to reduce duplication of efforts and rather harness resources to improve the situation of children with disabilities.

Mr. Akrobortu said issues affecting children especially those with disabilities were hidden in the communities hence the need for an effective education programme to sensitise the people for them to expose these issues for redress.

Reverend Wisdom Adegle, District Pastor, Wa Central branch of the Global Evangelical Church, said God had a purpose for creating everybody and so if something was wrong with somebody he or she must not be discriminated against.

He said parents had a duty to take care of their children whether healthy or disabled because they brought them to this world.

Rev. Adegle called on all religious bodies to help educate their people to show love towards children with disabilities and eschew all forms of discrimination against them.

Madam Bella Kanmwaa, Regional Early Childhood Care and Development/Special Education (SPED) Coordinator at the regional office of the Ghana Education Service, appealed to parents not to hide their children with disabilities but rather bring them out for support through the Disability Common Fund.

She also advised parents to allow their children to pursue their future careers based on their God given talents and stop forcing them to go into areas that would not benefit them.