Ghanaians must offer little love to people with disabilities

Ambitious and energetic Kafui was growing up as a young man when a fatal accident paralysed one of his legs at the age of 26.

Quite natural of his family members, they had to overcome the free flowing tears in order to come to grips with the unfortunate turn of events in the life of Kafui who now walk with so much difficulty.

Kafui’s predicament is similar to a number of people who have been forced to live with disability because they have no control over the mess they find themselves.

The statistics of persons with disabilities are staggering, but it is true that the phenomenon is on the rise especially those begging on the streets in Ghana.

Since “a beggar has no choice”, the coins-looking mendicants are found doing business in places unimaginable and oblivious to very sunny or wet weather conditions.

Social outcasts as some may be, they are forced to make pavements and open and at times unsecured places their abode.

Being human and significant to the scheme of things, it was not a surprise that the United Nations declared December 3 of every year the International Day for the Disabled.

The day is dedicated to sensitise the public on issues of disability and the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities. It is a day meant to facilitate their integration into the main stream of the society be it social, political, economic or cultural.

Launched by the World Programme of Action for Disabled Persons, and declared by the UN General Assembly in 1982, it also seeks to help create equal opportunity to the disabled so that they can lead productive lives and contribute to the development of their societies.

Years have gone by, but it seems no progress is being made by society to complement the efforts of international bodies like the UN towards creating an enabling environment for persons living with disability.

All too soon 2011 is gradually drawing to a close and with December just at the corner, one can be assured that just like nursery rhymes, the same messages concerning issues of disability would be repeated throughout the world, and yet little progress is being made in achieving the ultimate goal for this annual commemoration.

Although the situation in Ghana is not entirely different from what goes on in other parts of the world, especially in Africa, one question that has defied an answer is, for how long would society continue to neglect matters pertaining to the disabled, who are still considered in most countries to be living below the poverty line?

As December 3 approaches Ghanaians should examine how they relate with persons living with disability.

How do we perceive the blind person living on the street near our houses? How about the guy or lady we see close to our church or mosque who has lost both arms in an accident and begs for a living? What is our attitude towards the deaf and dumb who repairs our shoes at the lorry station or the handsome young man who employers have refuse to offer him a job just because he has lost one of his legs and walks lamely, even though he is the most qualified person for the position?

The truth is that society has not been so much receptive to calls by international bodies in the fight of people with disabilities for their equal rights.

It is disheartening to know that persons living with disabilities are the most stigmatised apart from people living with HIV and AIDS. They are isolated, mistreated and discriminated against in diverse ways.

Since society revolves around people no matter their status or condition, Ghanaians must learn to accept each other without prejudice. We need to treat the physically challenged with some love and respect instead of demeaning them.

An article published in the Guardian Newspaper (UK) on December 3, 2010 revealed that out of 650 million persons with disability worldwide, 80 per cent of them live below the poverty line.

It is therefore high time the priorities of Ghana are set right to make life more meaningful for everyone, especially the marginalized, if the goals of the better Ghana Agenda are to be achieved.

More attention should be given to the disabled by supporting them through both formal and informal education that might be beneficial to them so that they could become self- reliant to help reduce poverty in the country.

Some of these persons are so much talented in diverse ways and have goals that they would have loved to achieve if supported; therefore it would be just appropriate to assist them to realise their dreams.

Apart from government efforts and that of Ghana Society of the Disabled, Akropong School for the Blind, and other stakeholders like the UN, it is necessary for more corporate organisations to be supportive towards the cause of the disabled.

They can help make a difference in the lives of these people if part of the huge sums of money spent sponsoring beauty pageants, musical concerts, sports events and political campaigns are used to help establish and integrate them, especially those on the streets.

The churches and mosques are also not left out in this mission; they should not only bless people with the word of God, but should strive to act on what the Bible and the Quran admonish them to do by supporting the needy, especially the physically challenged.

Every individual can assist in his or her little way, to be of help to persons with disabilities, who are so vulnerable to all the unpleasant things on earth, for after all

God blessed us so that we could also become a blessing to people who are in need.

[A GNA feature by Priscilla Enami Agbozo]