Monday, May 20, 2013
DISABILITY IS NO INABILITY VIDEO, A GREAT ONE THERE!
GREAT VIDEO Y MUST WATCH!
This video is a campaign tool being used by PROMOAFRICA to all persons with disabilities across Africa to show them that disability is not a barrier but with the can do spirit and right attitude we can make the difference for ourselves and the society.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
GHANA ICT TRAINING PROJECT FOR THE DISABLED
Story:Seth Addi
The President of Ghana H.E John Dramani Mahama said his government
was committed to providing Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
skills to people with disabilities so as to contribute their quota to national
development.
He said under the senior high school computerized project, some of the graduates would be integrated into the mainstream as ICT instructors or trainers while others would be maintained to repair broken down computers.
President Mahama said this at the maiden graduation ceremony of Persons with Disability ICT Project and distribution of Better Ghana laptops at the Accra International Conference Centre under the auspices of rlg Communications Limited.
He said it was not worth enrolling people with disability and the youth in schools without providing them employable skills to fit well into the world of work and ICT.
He said persons with disability should no longer associate themselves with tokenism and pettiness that sought to undermine their dignity, respect and self-esteem.
President Mahama said government had repositioned itself to preparing persons with disability and students across the educational divide with skills in ICT as part of government’s commitment to building a Better Ghana through technology and innovation.
He disclosed that in phase one of the project 60,000 laptops have been distributed to teachers and students in basic and senior high schools, nursing training colleges, colleges of education, polytechnics and universities to promote teaching and learning in ICT and research.
President Mahama added that while in phase two additional 100,000 would be distributed to basic and second cycle schools as well as tertiary institutions, 400, 000 would be circulated in the next four years.
He appealed to Ghanaians, especially the youth and other stakeholders, to work cordially with the security agencies to have successful elections to make Ghana the model of Africa.
Mr Roland Agambire, Chief Executive Officer of rlg Communications Limited, explained that rlg, in partnership with the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, launched the Persons with Disability ICT Project aimed at equipping them with ICT skills for the contemporary world.
Mr Agambire challenged the youth to follow their dreams, saying: “dream and you will succeed; the only disability in life is bad attitude.”
He said under the senior high school computerized project, some of the graduates would be integrated into the mainstream as ICT instructors or trainers while others would be maintained to repair broken down computers.
President Mahama said this at the maiden graduation ceremony of Persons with Disability ICT Project and distribution of Better Ghana laptops at the Accra International Conference Centre under the auspices of rlg Communications Limited.
He said it was not worth enrolling people with disability and the youth in schools without providing them employable skills to fit well into the world of work and ICT.
He said persons with disability should no longer associate themselves with tokenism and pettiness that sought to undermine their dignity, respect and self-esteem.
President Mahama said government had repositioned itself to preparing persons with disability and students across the educational divide with skills in ICT as part of government’s commitment to building a Better Ghana through technology and innovation.
He disclosed that in phase one of the project 60,000 laptops have been distributed to teachers and students in basic and senior high schools, nursing training colleges, colleges of education, polytechnics and universities to promote teaching and learning in ICT and research.
President Mahama added that while in phase two additional 100,000 would be distributed to basic and second cycle schools as well as tertiary institutions, 400, 000 would be circulated in the next four years.
He appealed to Ghanaians, especially the youth and other stakeholders, to work cordially with the security agencies to have successful elections to make Ghana the model of Africa.
Mr Roland Agambire, Chief Executive Officer of rlg Communications Limited, explained that rlg, in partnership with the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare, launched the Persons with Disability ICT Project aimed at equipping them with ICT skills for the contemporary world.
Mr Agambire challenged the youth to follow their dreams, saying: “dream and you will succeed; the only disability in life is bad attitude.”
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
DISGRACEFUL STORY ABOUT A DISABLED PERSON IN GHANA
24 year old physically challenged turns to hunting to survive
It is a common thing to see able bodied men go into the bush to hunt for animals.
However, it will shock you to learn that 24 year old physically challenged Mclean Atsu Dzidzienyo who lives in Dodowa in the Dangbme West District of Greater Accra and crawls, has taken to hunting as a means of survival.
Atsu, as he is fondly called, also rears grass-cutter and has over 40 of the bush meat at his farms but goes to hunt for more to make ends meet.
He just completed an Accounting course in one of the Polytechnics, currently doing his national service with the Centre for Employment for Persons with Disability, a local NGO.
Mclean Dzidzienyo is one of 20 PWDs sponsored to undertake a week’s training in free range poultry production at the Youth Leadership Training Institute in Afienya, by Tycriss Live Stock Farms in partnership with the National Youth Authority.
Atsu who is also a member of Ghana’s contingent to last year’s All Africa Games in Maputo, revealed that he usually goes on the hunting expedition with his friends.
“They chase the animals towards my direction and I clock my gun and shoot at them. There is no mountain here in Dodowa that I haven’t climbed or hunted on. One day I caught a pregnant grass-cutter alive and I took it home and kept it in a cage till it delivered. I also caught a male and took home to keep in the cage and now I have 45 of them that I keep with the help of my mother,” Atsu told Adom News’ Jerry Tsatro Mordy.
He also demonstrated how he sometimes climbed tall trees to scan the bush and tell his friends where the animals may be hiding.
He said he is motivated to do many exploits to encourage others in similar condition that they should not let their situation limit them.
“I do everything myself, I walk about 400 metres to my farm in Dodowa and I can carry two buckets of water at the same time to some distance. I don’t want to see myself being a burden to my mother”, he stressed.
He disclosed plans to do a documentary, as a way of encouraging other PWDs particularly those begging for alms on the streets to acquire some skills and make life better for themselves.
However, it will shock you to learn that 24 year old physically challenged Mclean Atsu Dzidzienyo who lives in Dodowa in the Dangbme West District of Greater Accra and crawls, has taken to hunting as a means of survival.
Atsu, as he is fondly called, also rears grass-cutter and has over 40 of the bush meat at his farms but goes to hunt for more to make ends meet.
He just completed an Accounting course in one of the Polytechnics, currently doing his national service with the Centre for Employment for Persons with Disability, a local NGO.
Mclean Dzidzienyo is one of 20 PWDs sponsored to undertake a week’s training in free range poultry production at the Youth Leadership Training Institute in Afienya, by Tycriss Live Stock Farms in partnership with the National Youth Authority.
Atsu who is also a member of Ghana’s contingent to last year’s All Africa Games in Maputo, revealed that he usually goes on the hunting expedition with his friends.
“They chase the animals towards my direction and I clock my gun and shoot at them. There is no mountain here in Dodowa that I haven’t climbed or hunted on. One day I caught a pregnant grass-cutter alive and I took it home and kept it in a cage till it delivered. I also caught a male and took home to keep in the cage and now I have 45 of them that I keep with the help of my mother,” Atsu told Adom News’ Jerry Tsatro Mordy.
He also demonstrated how he sometimes climbed tall trees to scan the bush and tell his friends where the animals may be hiding.
He said he is motivated to do many exploits to encourage others in similar condition that they should not let their situation limit them.
“I do everything myself, I walk about 400 metres to my farm in Dodowa and I can carry two buckets of water at the same time to some distance. I don’t want to see myself being a burden to my mother”, he stressed.
He disclosed plans to do a documentary, as a way of encouraging other PWDs particularly those begging for alms on the streets to acquire some skills and make life better for themselves.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
ARTICLE
CAN PERSONS WITH DISABILITY LIVE ON PARADISE ON EARTH? (1)
By: Amoah Kwaku Addi, back from Germany
Every day, they put the Christian mandate of brotherly love into practice in Berlin, in Bielefeld and at many other locations where a paradise was created for persons with disabilities.
Bethels main fields of work, in addition to the treatment of epilepsy, cover care for disabled individuals, senior citizens’ care, assistance for young people, assistance for the homeless, work and rehabilitation, psychiatry and providing medical care at hospitals for the acutely ill. They have recently expanded their range of services to include persons with acquired brain damage, therapy programs for persons with autistic disturbances and hospice work. A total of approximately 180,000 persons are treated, supported, trained or counseled each year via Bethel’s range of services.
HOW THIS PARADISE WAS CREATED FOR PWDS
But the director of the hospital, pastor Friedrich von Bodelschwingh, resisted, saying "You can put me into a concentration camp if you want, that is your affair. But as long as I am free, you do not touch one of my patients. I cannot change to fit the times or the wishes of the Fuehrer. I stand under orders from our Lord Jesus Christ."
This statement by pastor Friedrich Von Bodelschwingh gave birth to the Bethel community that live in a colorful society composed of young and old, healthy, ill or disabled persons. Bethel’s facilities and services provide professional competency in many sectors; so that each person receives the kind of assistance that he or she needs till date.
Bethel and its range of services for work and occupational rehabilitation are present in the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Bremen, Berlin and Brandenburg. More to come
The Author is the President of the Network of Journalists for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa (PROMOAFRICA), and Managing Editor of the EVENING TRIBUNE NEWSPAPER.
Contact:Promoafrica@gmail.com
By: Amoah Kwaku Addi, back from Germany
Can persons with disabilities live on Paradise on earth? If this question was put to me somewhere last year 2011, my answer will be a definite NO, taking into consideration where I come from, Ghana, where persons with disabilities were the poorest and live in total misery and lacks opportunities.
But my recent visit to the v. Bodelschwingh Foundation Bethel in Bielefeld in Germany, I can answer the affirmative and said, yes with the right support, commitment, will from government, good social welfare system like what pertains in Bethel , persons with disabilities can live on paradise on earth. Bethel has the believe that if you put community into practice, Healthy or ill, disabled or not they are convinced at that all persons can live, learn and work together in their diversity as a natural fact of life.
However, many persons depend on assistance, accompaniment and support so that they can live a self-determining life of dignity to the greatest extent possible. In this Bethel community they have more than 15,000 employees committed to the welfare and upkeep of persons with disability. Every day, they put the Christian mandate of brotherly love into practice in Berlin, in Bielefeld and at many other locations where a paradise was created for persons with disabilities.
The word “Bethel” is derived from Hebrew and means “House of God”. This name forms the basis of the agenda at the v. Bodelschwingh Foundation Bethel in its capacity as Europe’s largest Christian social welfare services facility with a annual budget of 900 million Euros derives from donation, support from individuals, sales from donated items, collection and sales. of stamps.
Bethels assistance programs for persons with epilepsy are one example of Bethel’s endeavor, from its founding to the present, to develop advanced services for persons in need, i.e. persons in need who were previously left alone to fend for themselves. Bethels main fields of work, in addition to the treatment of epilepsy, cover care for disabled individuals, senior citizens’ care, assistance for young people, assistance for the homeless, work and rehabilitation, psychiatry and providing medical care at hospitals for the acutely ill. They have recently expanded their range of services to include persons with acquired brain damage, therapy programs for persons with autistic disturbances and hospice work. A total of approximately 180,000 persons are treated, supported, trained or counseled each year via Bethel’s range of services.
Bethels desire is to offer the greatest degree of self-determinant living to persons who rely on their assistance and support. Expanding the range of out-patient services is therefore the predominate goal at the Bethel community. The communities still remain intact, and they offer to many disabled persons an optimal environment for living, working and simply being human.
Bethel was established in 1867 as a home for children and young people suffering from epilepsy. Pastor Friedrich von Bodelschwingh took over the home’s management and expanded the small institution in Bielefeld into a differentiated and broadly diversified offer of assistance. Bethel is indeed unique in terms of the diversity of its fields of work. Yet it is primarily the support of many friends and supporters that makes wide range of work possible for people who need help and create a place they can call home. HOW THIS PARADISE WAS CREATED FOR PWDS
The Bethel Institution, officially call the v. Bodelschwingh Foundation Bethel is a diaconal i.e. Protestant charitable hospital for the mentally ill in Bielefeld, Germany.
This paradise came about during the Nazi Germany era, staff at the institution was mainly in opposition to the National Socialist party's T-4 Euthanasia Program. In 1940, Adolf Hitler ordered the gassing of all mental patients. But the director of the hospital, pastor Friedrich von Bodelschwingh, resisted, saying "You can put me into a concentration camp if you want, that is your affair. But as long as I am free, you do not touch one of my patients. I cannot change to fit the times or the wishes of the Fuehrer. I stand under orders from our Lord Jesus Christ."
This statement by pastor Friedrich Von Bodelschwingh gave birth to the Bethel community that live in a colorful society composed of young and old, healthy, ill or disabled persons. Bethel’s facilities and services provide professional competency in many sectors; so that each person receives the kind of assistance that he or she needs till date.
Friedrich von Bodelschwingh wrote in 1882: “It is always more merciful to give work to a person capable of working than to give him alms; the former lifts him, the latter dishonors him.” From this train of thought the v.Bodelschwingh Foundation Bethel has developed an impressive array of assistance programs for work, occupational rehabilitation and promoting skills in various occupations.
Individuals with disabilities and persons with mental or social impairments as well, will discover opportunities in the Bethel Workshops for training, employment and rehabilitation. Specialized integration services place disadvantaged persons on the general job market. Long-term unemployed persons may participate in occupational qualification programs in their workshops. Bethel assumes a special role in assisting persons with epilepsy via its special rehabilitation hospital and its vocational training center. The clinic was the first of its kind in Germany in 1997, and the vocational training center continues as the only facility that has specialized in training younger persons with epilepsy. Disabled persons and individuals with mental illnesses are also being admitted to the center and also for training to gain employment in the community.
Bethel has established a range of services for elderly retired persons with disabilities. They often have difficulty in keeping themselves busy, developing hobbies and maintaining social contacts after their working life has ended. We also have senior citizen day centers that enable elderly persons to enjoy a fulfilling life within the community. Bethel and its range of services for work and occupational rehabilitation are present in the federal states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Bremen, Berlin and Brandenburg. More to come
The Author is the President of the Network of Journalists for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa (PROMOAFRICA), and Managing Editor of the EVENING TRIBUNE NEWSPAPER.
Friday, October 28, 2011
JOURNALISTS TO UNDERGO AN INSTITUTIONAL STUDY TOUR TO GERMANY
The Promoafrica delegation which would be in germany for one week will be led by its Presiedent Mr. Amoah Kwaku Addi and the Executive Secretary Mrs.Nyarkoah Amponsah Mariam.
The v.Bodelschwingh Foundation Bethel was established in 1867 as a home for children and young people suffering from epilepsy. Pastor Friedrich von Bodelschwingh took over the home’s management and expanded the small institution in Bielefeld into a differentiated and broadly diversified offer of assistance. Bethel is indeed unique in terms of the diversity of its fields of work.
The PROMOAFRICA study tour and institutional learning, which is being sponsored by the National Council on Persons with Disability and Vista Finacial Services based in Dansoman in Accra, is a v.Bodelschwingh Foundations contribution toward PROMOAFRICA,s preparation to advocate for the passage of the Ghana Mental Health Bill from March to July 2012, under the DANIDA Flex Fund mini grant project to the Ghana Federation of the Disabled.
According to the invitation PROMOAFRICAs competencies to handle such a project cannot be over emphasized, as it has track records in similar events with a proven record of advocating for the passage of the National Disability law, Act 715 and the formation of the National Council on Persons with Disability in Ghana.
“We believe this opportunity would assist you, as journalists and lead advocates for persons with disabilities to have the full knowledge and competences to lobby the Parliament of Ghana to pass the Ghana Mental Health Bill into law in order to benefit patience with mental illness in Ghana and Africa”
The Bethel have recently expanded its range of services to include persons with acquired brain damage, therapy programs for persons with autistic disturbances and hospice work. A total of approximately 180,000 persons are treated, supported, trained or counseled each year via Bethel’s range of services.
With a desire is to offer the greatest degree of self-determinant living to persons who rely on our assistance and support and also offer to many disabled persons an optimal environment for living, working and simply living.
It will recalled that Mr. Addi together with the President of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled Mr. Yaw Ofori Debrah, were the guest of the German Central Library when they attained World Braille Congress at Leipzig, from the 27th to 30th September at the Leipzig University, when Mr. Addi delivered a paper on the human rights abused of children born with disabilities in Ghana in Hannover, Bielefeld and Frankfurt.
Monday, October 17, 2011
DEFORMED CHILDREN ARE BEING KILLED IN GHANA
Three-year old John the Baptist, who hails from Gnani, a community in the Yendi Municipality of the Northern Region, was born with a vein defect.
At the age of two, John’s parents wrapped him in white cloths and left him beside a public refuse dump. His condition was bad because his neck and legs were fragile and could neither sit nor stand due to the vein defect.
John’s situation was not different from four-year old Makpato whose parents decided to kill her due to her inability to talk at the age of three.
What John and Makpato passed through is unfortunately the ordeal many children who are born with defects are subjected to in communities such as Saboba, Wodando, Zabzugu, Tatale and Bimbilla.
The common belief among some communities in the North is that children born with deformities are “spirit children” who are evil or a taboo to be sheltered and catered for.
A painstaking information gathered by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) indicates that such babies have distinguished features like, beard, pubic hair, double sex organs (hermaphrodites), protruding eyes, abnormally large head or inability to talk and walk after they hit three to six years.
Other children who bear societal stigma are those who constantly bite their mother’s breast during breast feeding, are born during famine or whose mothers die during delivery.
It is alleged that most of these children are killed or abandoned to their fate. In some instances, poisonous concoctions are forced down their throat after which, they are abandoned in a grove or forest to die.
The parents and relatives of these children have no say with regards to the killing of these children because it is a communal belief which needed to be complied with.
Asked about the cause of such deformities, Dr Anthony Amankwah Amponsem, Paediatric Consultant at Tamale Teaching Hospital said genetic factors, congenital maternal disease and infections, age of a mother, radiation as well as social habits like alcoholism could affect the development of a fertilised ovum.
Most the deformities occur during the first three months of the pregnancy during which most of the body organs are formed.
Birth defects could happen even if partners have no such history in their families or had given birth to healthy children in the past.
These defects, Dr Amponsah said could be prevented while some could be corrected if spotted early.
At the turn of the century, Ghana, along with 189 UN member countries adopted the Millennium Declaration that laid out the vision for a world of common values and renewed determination to achieve peace and decent standards of living for every man, woman and child.
Our nation was the first West Africa country that rectified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which was adopted and opened for signature, ratification and accession by General Assembly resolution 44/25 of 20 November 1989 with article 49.
Article 23 clause one, the convention mandates States Parties to recognise that a mentally or physically disabled child should enjoy a full and decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance and facilitate the child's active participation in the community.
The clause two states that, “States Parties recognise the right of the disabled child to special care and shall encourage and ensure the extension, subject to available resources, to the eligible child and those responsible for his or her care, of assistance for which application is made and which is appropriate to the child's condition and to the circumstances of the parents or others caring for the child”.
The third paragraph also explained that “Recognising the special needs of a disabled child, assistance extended in accordance with paragraph 2 of the present article shall be provided free of charge, whenever possible, taking into account the financial resources of the parents or others caring for the child, and shall be designed to ensure that the disabled child has effective access to and receives education, training, health care services, rehabilitation services, preparation for employment and recreation opportunities in a manner conducive to the child's achieving the fullest possible social integration and individual development, including his or her cultural and spiritual development .
On the national front the Sub-Part I – Rights of the child and parental duty of Ghana’s Children’s Act 1998 Act 560 enacted by Parliament spells out how a disabled child should be treated by the parent or care takers.
The section 10 clause (1) and (2) says: “No person shall treat a disabled child in an undignified manner. A disabled child has a right to special care, education and training wherever possible to develop his maximum potential and be self-reliant.”
The punishment for offenders of the regulation is that, “Any person who contravenes a provision of this Sub-Part commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding GH¢5 million or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year or both.”
A study conducted by the GNA indicates that these laws are either not adhered to or implementation is weak.
An interaction with the parents of one of the deformed victims at Wodando, a community close to Wapuli in the Chereponi District with the GNA revealed widespread belief in the long held tradition that if a “ spirit child” is not killed the entire village would suffer a curse.
This custom emboldens parents to harm their deformed children, says Rev. Fr Cletus Akosah who runs a charity for rescued children.
A girl who was the 13th child of her parents could not alter a word when she was growing up compelling her mother to seek both medical and traditional means to deal with the situation.
“When I took her to Wapuli clinic the doctor who diagnosed her said she has frenulum between her tongue and the floor of her lower jaw, which hinder her speech. This has to be removed before she can speak.
“The doctor said my child is normal. There is nothing wrong with her,” she said.
She said after all efforts have been made to cure her child had failed, people were claiming that they see her in their dreams trying to harm them.
“I had to yield to the community’s tradition that my child is a spirit child and need to be killed or else my family would be banished from the community.”
Rev. Fr. Peter Jabaab Aoyaja of the Gnanie, Good Shepherd Rectorate, told the GNA that he had often threatened people who wanted to kill these children with police arrest.
Within six weeks he was able to rescue about four children from his area saying, “It is becoming alarming. The issue of killing children with defect is serious; government should partner religious bodies and non-governmental organisations to curtail these practices as early as possible”.
Mr John Ankrah Regional Director of the Department of Social Welfare, in an interview with the GNA described the issue as child molestation and right denial.
“This is the first time am hearing of this issue and is not good in this 21st century. Even if children are deformed, they have the right to live.”
He said his outfit would source funding to embark on social education in the various communities, adding “my office does not even have a vehicle to go to the field”.
Mr Abdul-Razak Alhassan, Acting Regional Director of the Department of Child, reiterated that it is a criminal offence under the Child Act 560 and the UN Convention on Right of a Child for a parent, persons or group of persons to kill a child with defects in the name of beliefs and practices.
He called for synergy between the Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service, Department of Social Welfare, Department of Community Development and Department of Children that have the oversight responsibility of child protection to work effectively.
With regards to child’s growth and behaviour, Mr Alhassan Mustapha, a Psychology lecturer, at the Medical School of the University of Development Studies told GNA that children who have deformities could exhibit signs of aggressiveness and may hate their parents and strangers as they grow.
“This is because the communal bond with the family was cut off from such people throughout their life.”
About 30 of the social outcasts have been rescued and temporarily housed by one Rev. Sr. Stan Therese Mario Mumuni, at Sang, 70 miles from the Regional capital, Tamale.
She told GNA that, unfortunately, the home was almost full to capacity and there is little hope that many more children may be accommodated in the foreseeable future.
“The children are brought almost every two to four weeks”. I think no child must die because of crude custom but must live for Christ,” she said.
Chief Inspector Ebenezer Preprah, in-charge of DOVVSU in Yendi told GNA in an interview that the act of killing deformed children is a serious offence under the section 46 of the criminal code, which constitutes murder.
He said a person or any group of persons who flout this law commit a criminal offence punishable by death.
“We have not had any official report yet and if we do an arrest will be affected,” he warned.
Worldwide, physically challenge persons such as Miss Jessica Cox, a pilot and world acclaimed motivational speaker, Mr Ivor Kobbina Greenstreet, of the Convention People’s Party, had excelled in their fields of endeavour and continue to make meaningful contribution in their countries.
Should the authorities therefore look on as talented children are killed because they are deformed or in the name of traditional believes?
God has a plan for everyone in this world and every human being counts.
PRESS RELEASE
GOVERNMENT, THE DISABLED AND THE NEW FOOT BRIDGES
The Network of Journalists for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa (PROMOAFRICA), wish to draw Governments attention of the omission of its commitment to provide the necessary structures to aid persons with disabilities with regard to the various new footbridges being constructed from the Tetteh Quashie Roundabout to Mallam Junction.
A fact finding mission carried out by PROMOAFRICA led the President of the Network, Mr. Amoah Kwaku Addi, executive members and reporters to Abofun , Akweteyman, Nyamekye junction, Kata Hostel, Kwashieman and Mallam junction indicates that the accessibility, welfare and concerns of persons with disabilities and persons with old age were not taken into consideration in construction of these new facilities. Hence they are not accessible to this category of persons.
Promoafrica sees it very strange that the NDC government that prides itself with social democratic philosophy, (the mantra of being pro-poor) will ignore or exclude persons with disabilities in such a simple issue as accessibility and freedom of movement.
We are hereby, through this press release, appealing to the president, H.E John Atta Mills and the Minister of Roads and Highways to take urgent steps to correct the anomalies and factor in the concerns and wellbeing of persons with disabilities in future development projects since this category of citizens constitute ten percent of the population and plays active part in the developmental processes of this country.
Amoah Kwaku Addi
President-PROMOAFRICA
Contact 0267457253
Thursday, July 14, 2011
SOCIAL AND SEXUAL AWARENESS, THE PERSPECTIVE OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Social and Sexual Awareness, the Perspective of Persons with Disabilities
By: Amoah Kwaku Addi
Sexual awareness is normal. Sexual feelings are normal, and there are many ways of expressing one's sexuality. If a person has a disability, it does not change any of this. What often changes is the socialization that provides the foundation for sexual identity.
In Ghana , persons with disabilities are sometimes oppressed and treated as less than someone without an identifiable disability. This can have a profound impact on the individual's self-identity. Often, people with developmental disabilities feel they are bad or that something is wrong with them. By extension, they can feel that their normal sexual feelings are also bad or wrong. Humans' sexual drive is a primary drive; it is not optional. We have a sexual drive as long as we have enough to eat, drink, and sleep; and we are not under undue stress.
Many of my of my disabled friends have told me in confidence that having sex with someone is the only time they feel normal. They have a job that they know a "normal" person would not have. They cannot drive. They are not free to go where they want, when they want. They always have to tell someone where they are and who they are with. They feel like they are treated like a child.
Children with disabilities, in the early years, we give them information on being a boy or a girl. It is also helpful to give them correct names for their body parts including penis, vagina and anus. These terms should be taught using relaxed and open language.
Whatever words you choose, they will best serve a child by imparting the notion that sexual feelings are wonderful and very personal. Bath time is also a good time to teach body awareness including the need to treat one's body with respect. Based on my experience, I believe this can be taught, regardless of the identified level of disability.
If we allow the child's disability to keep him from teaching these concepts, then we will leave him/her vulnerable. Just as children learn to eat, drink, sleep, and deal with fear, they can learn to express their sexuality. In fact, children need appropriate support to express themselves sexually; and this support includes information about appropriate boundaries and various ways to show regard for one's self.
Teenagers and Adults with disability, by the time they move into their teens, they will experience changes in their bodies that are reflected in their sexuality. They will begin to experience orgasms. They will grow pubic and underarm hair. Overall body hair will change. A young man's voice will change. A young woman will begin to menstruate. Imagine going through these changes without knowing the names of body parts, without the preparation of anticipating change, and without the awareness that someone trusted is available if he/she has any questions. This type of information helps these individuals know that they are not "falling apart" and that they can ask questions. It is not enough to just wait and then tell someone "oh, by the way, ask if you have questions."
After a young woman begins menstruation, she is old enough for regular vaginal exams. Many will be terrified of these exams. Women with disabilities often need training on how to breath during an exam, how to relax the vaginal muscles, and how to be assertive with the physician in order to go through exams without being medicated. Women who do not speak can be taught to use gestures to tell the doctor to "stop" or "wait."
Women are abused sexually at alarming rate, however, women who have a disability appear to be abused even more. While accurate statistics are difficult to obtain, it is certain that all women and men with disabilities need to be aware of their healthy sexual options; and they need to know what to do if faced with sexual abuse or sexual contact that makes them uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, some people are victimized sexually because they value the feeling of sexual activity. If we can recognize the power of an abusive relationship because of one’s sexual feelings, we will be better able to support people in developing ways to discriminate respectful relationships that can grow and benefit both people.
Adult men and women who have disabilities may or may not be aware of their own attractiveness and how they present themselves to others. Women who have a disability may want to shave their legs in the summer. Men may want to experiment with hairstyles. Both may want to decide what looks best on them. This may seem trivial, but it is important; it allows them to deal with the world.
Some individuals with disabilities may need specific instructions about social expectations. Some manners, ways of conversing, or sexual mores may not have meaning for them in the same way a person without autism might experience them. For these individuals, it is important to provide them with ample information about social rituals and boundaries. Role playing, discreet reminders when in public, and lots of practice are helpful.
People are sexual beings. It is not a choice or an option. It is a truth. The best sex education is a full awareness of social skills, boundaries, sexual expression, and expectations.
The author is the president of the network of journalists for the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa (PROMOAFRICA), email:promoafrica@gmail.com Tel:0233 267457253
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By: Amoah Kwaku Addi
Sexual awareness is normal. Sexual feelings are normal, and there are many ways of expressing one's sexuality. If a person has a disability, it does not change any of this. What often changes is the socialization that provides the foundation for sexual identity.
In Ghana , persons with disabilities are sometimes oppressed and treated as less than someone without an identifiable disability. This can have a profound impact on the individual's self-identity. Often, people with developmental disabilities feel they are bad or that something is wrong with them. By extension, they can feel that their normal sexual feelings are also bad or wrong. Humans' sexual drive is a primary drive; it is not optional. We have a sexual drive as long as we have enough to eat, drink, and sleep; and we are not under undue stress.
Many of my of my disabled friends have told me in confidence that having sex with someone is the only time they feel normal. They have a job that they know a "normal" person would not have. They cannot drive. They are not free to go where they want, when they want. They always have to tell someone where they are and who they are with. They feel like they are treated like a child.
Children with disabilities, in the early years, we give them information on being a boy or a girl. It is also helpful to give them correct names for their body parts including penis, vagina and anus. These terms should be taught using relaxed and open language.
Whatever words you choose, they will best serve a child by imparting the notion that sexual feelings are wonderful and very personal. Bath time is also a good time to teach body awareness including the need to treat one's body with respect. Based on my experience, I believe this can be taught, regardless of the identified level of disability.
If we allow the child's disability to keep him from teaching these concepts, then we will leave him/her vulnerable. Just as children learn to eat, drink, sleep, and deal with fear, they can learn to express their sexuality. In fact, children need appropriate support to express themselves sexually; and this support includes information about appropriate boundaries and various ways to show regard for one's self.
Teenagers and Adults with disability, by the time they move into their teens, they will experience changes in their bodies that are reflected in their sexuality. They will begin to experience orgasms. They will grow pubic and underarm hair. Overall body hair will change. A young man's voice will change. A young woman will begin to menstruate. Imagine going through these changes without knowing the names of body parts, without the preparation of anticipating change, and without the awareness that someone trusted is available if he/she has any questions. This type of information helps these individuals know that they are not "falling apart" and that they can ask questions. It is not enough to just wait and then tell someone "oh, by the way, ask if you have questions."
After a young woman begins menstruation, she is old enough for regular vaginal exams. Many will be terrified of these exams. Women with disabilities often need training on how to breath during an exam, how to relax the vaginal muscles, and how to be assertive with the physician in order to go through exams without being medicated. Women who do not speak can be taught to use gestures to tell the doctor to "stop" or "wait."
Women are abused sexually at alarming rate, however, women who have a disability appear to be abused even more. While accurate statistics are difficult to obtain, it is certain that all women and men with disabilities need to be aware of their healthy sexual options; and they need to know what to do if faced with sexual abuse or sexual contact that makes them uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, some people are victimized sexually because they value the feeling of sexual activity. If we can recognize the power of an abusive relationship because of one’s sexual feelings, we will be better able to support people in developing ways to discriminate respectful relationships that can grow and benefit both people.
Adult men and women who have disabilities may or may not be aware of their own attractiveness and how they present themselves to others. Women who have a disability may want to shave their legs in the summer. Men may want to experiment with hairstyles. Both may want to decide what looks best on them. This may seem trivial, but it is important; it allows them to deal with the world.
Some individuals with disabilities may need specific instructions about social expectations. Some manners, ways of conversing, or sexual mores may not have meaning for them in the same way a person without autism might experience them. For these individuals, it is important to provide them with ample information about social rituals and boundaries. Role playing, discreet reminders when in public, and lots of practice are helpful.
People are sexual beings. It is not a choice or an option. It is a truth. The best sex education is a full awareness of social skills, boundaries, sexual expression, and expectations.
The author is the president of the network of journalists for the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa (PROMOAFRICA), email:promoafrica@gmail.com Tel:0233 267457253
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
GHANA TO HOST AFRICAN NATIONS AMPUTEE FOOTBALL
The president of the Amputee Football Federation of Africa (AFFA) Mr. Francis Adjetey Sowa has officially launch, the hosting of the campionship in Accra Ghana .
The campionship will take place in Accra from october to november 2011.
Monday, May 30, 2011
PROMOAFRICA PARTITION PARLIAMENT OVER "THE BLIND CANNOT BE PRESIDENT STATEMENT" BY AN MP
PETITION
TO: Speaker of Parliament of Ghana and Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings
CC: General Secretary, NDC, Chairman, National House of Chiefs CHAIRMAN, National Council on Persons with Disability and the president, Ghana Federation of the Disable
FROM: PROMOAFRICA and GHANA Blind Union Youth and Students Wing. (GBUYSW)
SUBJECT: DEMAND FOR THE REMOVAL OF HON. MICHAEL TEYE NYAUNU
DATE: 31st May 2011
INTRODUCTION:
The Network of Journalists for the Promotion of the Rights of persons with Disabilities in Africa and the Ghana Blind Union Youth and Students Wing wishes to respectfully submit this petition in respect of the derogatory remarks made by Hon. Michael Teye Nyaunu concerning the sight of the president Mills which suggest and connote that blind persons can not work effectively and therefore should not become president. We, [PROMOAFRICA and GBUYSW] however demand his removal as the Coordinator of the Nana Konadu Campaign team or an apology from the said Hon. without any further delay.
ISSUES:
The Campaign Coordinator of the Nana Konadu for 2012 team, Michael Teye Nyaunu, has been captured on tape telling NDC Party delegates that President Mills’s failing sight has allowed the people surrounding him such as Ato Ahwoi to take control and act like the ones truly running the country.
The MP for Lower Manya constituency is heard explicitly telling delegates that President Mills is virtually blind and incapable of running his Government.
The existence of the tape was first published by the Enquirer newspaper. The Enquirer reported that the former first lady and Mr Nyaunu were addressing delegates of Ablekuma North, South and Central at Extima Hotel at Mataheko in Accra on Monday May 23, 2011 when he made the comments.
According to Mr Nyaunu, his claims are from an ‘insider’s report’ which he feels hesitant to expose to the public because he wants to protect the NDC’s image towards the 2012 elections.
Mr Nyaunu also asserted that President Mills can’t read any document brought to him for scrutiny at the Castle.
“He (President Mills) can’t read any letter from anybody; that is the situation, he can’t read anything. He has an eye problem. Why is he not reading speeches? He speaks extempore.”
"We are telling you how serious the thing is. Let me tell you, a lot of the people surrounding him have taken control. Every Minister is a President in his regard (sic), nobody is controlling them. They are all on their own.”
“The only thing you will hear is that Ato Ahwoi and P.V would say that they are sacking somebody. Ato Ahwoi is the President. This is the extent to which we are going but we can’t say this in public”.
In an interview with Citi News on Thursday May 26, 2011 Mr Nyaunu confirmed his damaging remarks on President Mills, maintaining though that the remarks were a campaign message to NDC delegates and not meant for the general public.
He denied preaching vindictiveness against the Presidency but added that he was only telling the delegates the truth in order to help them make the right decision at the NDC congress to elect a flagbearer slated for July 8-10, 2011 at the Brong Ahafo regional capital, Sunyani.
What this mean to us is that Mr Nyaunu is preaching discrimination. Thus, when one is blind, that person cannot perform his or her duties effectively.
It also mean that blind person cannot become president and that any president that become blind during his or her tenure of office needs to be removed from office.
It further suggests that Blind persons are always controlled by the people around them and are incapable of taking decisions themselves except the people around them. .
It is also against the Disability Act [Act 715] section 33:
[Derogatory Names
1. (1) A person shall not call a person with disability derogatory names because of the disability of the person.
29) A person who contravenes Subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months or to both.
We are therefore demanding his removal by Nana Konadu as her campaign Coordinator or apologise for his discriminatory statements.
We also call on Parliament to drag the said MP to the privileges Committee of Parliament to render an unqualified apology to Blind and Partially Sighted Persons that were affected by his unfortunate statement
If these two things fail within 72 hours after the above concerns have received the petition, the members of Ghana Blind Union Youth and Students Wing shall advise themselves accordingly.
CONCLUSION:
It is the expectation of the Ghana Blind Union Youth and Students Wing that our request will be favourably considered in order to remove or minimize the derogatory statements and discrimination against Persons with Disabilities.
Signed by:
Joseph Dwomo Ababio [General Secretary, GBUYSW]
Tel. 0243-617414
Seth Addi [President, Promoafrica]
Tel. 0204-557253
TO: Speaker of Parliament of Ghana and Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings
CC: General Secretary, NDC, Chairman, National House of Chiefs CHAIRMAN, National Council on Persons with Disability and the president, Ghana Federation of the Disable
FROM: PROMOAFRICA and GHANA Blind Union Youth and Students Wing. (GBUYSW)
SUBJECT: DEMAND FOR THE REMOVAL OF HON. MICHAEL TEYE NYAUNU
DATE: 31st May 2011
INTRODUCTION:
The Network of Journalists for the Promotion of the Rights of persons with Disabilities in Africa and the Ghana Blind Union Youth and Students Wing wishes to respectfully submit this petition in respect of the derogatory remarks made by Hon. Michael Teye Nyaunu concerning the sight of the president Mills which suggest and connote that blind persons can not work effectively and therefore should not become president. We, [PROMOAFRICA and GBUYSW] however demand his removal as the Coordinator of the Nana Konadu Campaign team or an apology from the said Hon. without any further delay.
ISSUES:
The Campaign Coordinator of the Nana Konadu for 2012 team, Michael Teye Nyaunu, has been captured on tape telling NDC Party delegates that President Mills’s failing sight has allowed the people surrounding him such as Ato Ahwoi to take control and act like the ones truly running the country.
The MP for Lower Manya constituency is heard explicitly telling delegates that President Mills is virtually blind and incapable of running his Government.
The existence of the tape was first published by the Enquirer newspaper. The Enquirer reported that the former first lady and Mr Nyaunu were addressing delegates of Ablekuma North, South and Central at Extima Hotel at Mataheko in Accra on Monday May 23, 2011 when he made the comments.
According to Mr Nyaunu, his claims are from an ‘insider’s report’ which he feels hesitant to expose to the public because he wants to protect the NDC’s image towards the 2012 elections.
Mr Nyaunu also asserted that President Mills can’t read any document brought to him for scrutiny at the Castle.
“He (President Mills) can’t read any letter from anybody; that is the situation, he can’t read anything. He has an eye problem. Why is he not reading speeches? He speaks extempore.”
"We are telling you how serious the thing is. Let me tell you, a lot of the people surrounding him have taken control. Every Minister is a President in his regard (sic), nobody is controlling them. They are all on their own.”
“The only thing you will hear is that Ato Ahwoi and P.V would say that they are sacking somebody. Ato Ahwoi is the President. This is the extent to which we are going but we can’t say this in public”.
In an interview with Citi News on Thursday May 26, 2011 Mr Nyaunu confirmed his damaging remarks on President Mills, maintaining though that the remarks were a campaign message to NDC delegates and not meant for the general public.
He denied preaching vindictiveness against the Presidency but added that he was only telling the delegates the truth in order to help them make the right decision at the NDC congress to elect a flagbearer slated for July 8-10, 2011 at the Brong Ahafo regional capital, Sunyani.
What this mean to us is that Mr Nyaunu is preaching discrimination. Thus, when one is blind, that person cannot perform his or her duties effectively.
It also mean that blind person cannot become president and that any president that become blind during his or her tenure of office needs to be removed from office.
It further suggests that Blind persons are always controlled by the people around them and are incapable of taking decisions themselves except the people around them. .
It is also against the Disability Act [Act 715] section 33:
[Derogatory Names
1. (1) A person shall not call a person with disability derogatory names because of the disability of the person.
29) A person who contravenes Subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding fifty penalty units or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months or to both.
We are therefore demanding his removal by Nana Konadu as her campaign Coordinator or apologise for his discriminatory statements.
We also call on Parliament to drag the said MP to the privileges Committee of Parliament to render an unqualified apology to Blind and Partially Sighted Persons that were affected by his unfortunate statement
If these two things fail within 72 hours after the above concerns have received the petition, the members of Ghana Blind Union Youth and Students Wing shall advise themselves accordingly.
CONCLUSION:
It is the expectation of the Ghana Blind Union Youth and Students Wing that our request will be favourably considered in order to remove or minimize the derogatory statements and discrimination against Persons with Disabilities.
Signed by:
Joseph Dwomo Ababio [General Secretary, GBUYSW]
Tel. 0243-617414
Seth Addi [President, Promoafrica]
Tel. 0204-557253
PROMOAFRICA CONDEMN KILLING OF DISABLED PERSONS FOR RITUAL PURPOSES
The Network of Journalists for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa (PROMOAFRICA),has condemn the killing of a hunchback woman believed to be in her early fifties in Akwatia in the Eastern Region of Ghana.
Speaking at a well attended press conference in Accra on the issue, the president of PROMOAFRICA, Mr. Amoah Kwaku Addi (Seth Addi) who led the investigation team to the area to ascertain the true situation on the ground, said The woman was killed by unknown persons on the morning of Saturday May 29, between two villages, Otwinkwanta and Adukwedum.
Mr. Addi explianed that the body of the woman, believed to have been murdered not far from where she was found, has some part of her hunchback removed as the incident has thrown the town into shock and fear, as many residents who spoke to the investigative team said the 53-year old woman may have been killed for ritual purposes.
Speaking at a well attended press conference in Accra on the issue, the president of PROMOAFRICA, Mr. Amoah Kwaku Addi (Seth Addi) who led the investigation team to the area to ascertain the true situation on the ground, said The woman was killed by unknown persons on the morning of Saturday May 29, between two villages, Otwinkwanta and Adukwedum.
Mr. Addi explianed that the body of the woman, believed to have been murdered not far from where she was found, has some part of her hunchback removed as the incident has thrown the town into shock and fear, as many residents who spoke to the investigative team said the 53-year old woman may have been killed for ritual purposes.
Mr. Addi therefore called on international community and government of Ghana to support the network to enable them promote and protect persons with disabilities in Ghana as in recent times, there have been several cases of alleged ritual murders of persons with disabilities in some parts of the country.
The most recent and prominent case, according to PROMOAFRICA President, is the arrest of three men suspected to have murdered a 12-year child with disability, Kwame Amoah, at Techiman and one other at Goaso all in the Brong Ahafo Region.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
PROMO AFRICA PRESENT FINDINGS TO GFD
The network of journalists for the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities in Africa-Ghana chapter (Promoafrica), has presented its finding on “exposure of human rights violations against persons with disabilities [pwds] in upper east and Volta regions (phase 1) presented to the Ghana federation of the disabled (gfd) at a colourful ceremony in Accra. The report was presented by the president of the network Mr. Amoah kwaku Addi and received by the vice president of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled. Below is the full text of the report;
Executive summary
The Network of Journalists for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa-Ghana Chapter (PromoAfrica), made up of journalists with the interest in championing the cause of persons with disabilities (PWDs), received support from the Ghana Federation of the Disabled’s (GFD’s) Flex-fund under the DANIDA Project to implement the project entitled “Exposure of the Human Rights violation against Persons with Disabilities in Upper East and Volta Regions Phase 1”.
The purpose was to investigate human right violations against PWDs in the two regions with the view to bringing them to light. In all twenty one (21) journalists were deployed and nine (9) communities were visited. Three (3) in the upper East Region, five (5) in the Volta region and one (1) in Greater Accra Region.
We are very grateful to GFD to this opportunity
Background - PROMOAFRICA Ghana Chapter
PROMOAFRICA Ghana Chapter has a membership of one hundred and five (105) media personnel working in 100 media houses across the regions in both the print and electronics, aimed at advocating for the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities.
The Network was formed by the Africa Decade Secretariat of Persons with Disabilities in Dakar on April 24, 2008 by journalists attending a training workshop on “UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the New Terminology Guide”.
Locally it was launched on the 23rd June 2008 and has since then worked closely with stakeholders in the disability sector to promote the rights of PWDs. It is registered, and is recognized by the African Decade Secretariat of Persons with Disabilities, the National Council on Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
Purpose and specific objectives
As professional communicators, we are in a unique position to shape the public image of persons with disabilities.
Media initiatives and individual journalists can help people feel less isolated, while at the same time challenge negative stereotype in communities.
This is our core objective and for one thing, we can help persons with disabilities in Ghana that are often discriminated and excluded from school, work opportunities and health services, to become more visible in society.
We have the vivid believe that as long as these large of groups of people are invisible, the inequalities experienced by them will remain largely unknown to the general public if we don’t act swiftly as journalists.
Project implementation
For successful implementation of the project two regional executive committees were formed with five members each to tour the areas that the human rights of PWDs were suspected being violated as a forerunner to the visit of the national team to carry out investigations.
16th-21st May 2010, UER: The Upper East team led by Osei Kwame Junior, the local Joy FM correspondent visited Chiana and Srigu where the phenomenon of the “spirit child” syndrome (the believe that children with disabilities are evil and curses from the gods/ancestors) abounds.
19th-24th May 2010, VR: Mr. Patrice Selorm, a freelance journalist led the Volta regional team to pay a two-day working visit to the Nkwanta South district. They visited Kecheibi, Tutukpene, (where onchosichiaeses abounds), Ashiabre, Krontang and Tsieso.
26th May-5th June 2010, tour by National Executives
A seven member team led by the President of PromoAfrica, Seth Amoah Addi, left Accra to the Upper East and the Volta Region. The team’s first visit was to Srigu and Chaina in the Kasina Nankan District of the Upper East region where it met with the local Assemblyman, community leaders, victims in school and some local NGOs already working in the area notable among them, Afrikids.
Findings on spirit child syndrome:
“Phenomenon of the spirit child syndrome” where the locals believe that children with disabilities are evil and curse from the gods/ancestors therefore they must be killed.
At Sirigu and Chaina in the Kasina Nankan district, there is a widespread belief that children born with physical deformities or with complex medical conditions are “kinkirogo” or spirit child who have been sent to bring harm or calamity to their families and are not meant for this world.
The locals, as soon as they identify a “kinkirogo” or spirit child, contact a spiritualist and a concoction is given to the baby to drink. If the baby dies after drinking the concoction then it confirms that the baby is a “kinkirogo” sent to bring calamity to the parents.
Due to the activeness of some grassroots NGOs these rituals though persisting have gone down. They are now conducted in quiet secretly as the “Kinkirogo” belief is a long term tradition which the people will not trade for anything.
Some innocent children has been killed simply because they were born with physical deformities or with complex medical conditions and this goes contrary to article 13 (1) of the 1992 constitution of the republic of Ghana “no person shall be deprived of his life intentionally except in the exercise of the execution of a sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence under the laws of Ghana of which he has been convicted” and 29(1) ”disabled persons have the right to live with their family or with foster parents and to participate in social, creative or recreational activities”
RECOMMENDATION ON THE SPIRIT CHILD PHENOMENON
Recognizing that the child occupies a unique and privileged position in the African society and that for the full harmonious development of his personality, body and mind, the child should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding,
Acknowledging that children require particular care with regard to health, physical, mental, moral and social development, and need legal protection in conditions of freedom, dignity and security
Considering the virtue of historical tradition and values of African civilization which should inspire and characterize reflections of human and peoples’ rights,
Recognizing again that fundamental human rights stem from the attributes of human beings which justify their national and international protection and that respect of people’s rights should necessarily guarantee human rights,
We strongly recommend the following to the Ghana Federation of the Disabled and its allies
(1) GFD should increase its advocacy work and awareness on the human rights of children with disabilities (CWDs) regarding harmful practices through information, education and outreach programmes in the Kasina Nankana district especially communities in and around Sirigu.
(2) GFD should strengthens and increase its presence in the district to enable it protect children with disability who are at risk of being subjected to harmful practices or all other forms of violence, abuse and intolerance.
(3) GFD should work closely with AFRIKIDS, a grassroots NGO in the district with vast knowledge and experience on the “Kinkirogo” phenomenon in the provision of necessary support to victims of harmful practices through basic services such as health services, legal and judicial support, emotional and psychological counselling as well as vocational training to make them self supporting.
(4) GFD should advocate the establishment of a school for children with disabilities to be sited in the district or the regional capital Bolgatanga. (As most of the indigenes has not seen children with disabilities living and working independently).
(5) GFD should work intimately with the District Assembly and the NCPD to adopt appropriate measures to eliminate harmful social and cultural practices affecting welfare, dignity, normal growth and development of children born with disabilities and in particular; those customs and practices prejudicial to the health or life of children with disability which are discriminatory to the child on the grounds of health status.
(6) For GFD’s advocacy and campaign on the above subject, we recommend the usage of article 7 &8 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and optional protocol as a strong tool.
Findings on Nkwanta South District
The team also visited the Nkwanta south district, which is one of the most deprived districts in the Volta region. It abounds with guinea worm infestation and onchosichiaeses - diseases that lead to severe disabilities. Indeed the ddistrict was chosen by the network because it is Ghana’s second endemic area for guinea worms according to the 2004, 2005 -2007 Ghana Health Service report.
Black flies that infect human with the onchosichiaeses disease that leads to permanent blindness, abounds at Tutukpene a village 40 kilometres from Nkwanta, the district capital. Ghana Association of the Blind and Sight Savers International are visible in the area.
Kecheibi, Ashiabre, Odumasi, and Krontang also have a high level of guinea worm infestation. Most children infected are often rendered physically deformed or paralysed.
Due to economic hardship and lack of awareness children with disabilities are mostly denied education. Over 15 children with disabilities of school going age interviewed mentioned that they do not go to school at all or have become school dropouts because of their disabilities.
Recommendation on Nkwanta District
The Ghanaian youth including those with disabilities sets a benchmark for the practice to assist government and other stakeholders in fulfilling its commitment as spelt out in the national constitution to involve the youth in decision-making regarding the development of policy, programs and services, and as the agents of change and partners, with the opportunity to change the status quo for a better today and tomorrow, and to inject into them a sense of participation in national development, education is key to them
One of the main reasons that children in Ghana do not attend school is that their parents simply cannot afford to pay the levies charged by the schools. Despite government’s policy of fee-free tuition in basic school, some children with disabilities in the Nkwanta South district were left out of basic education not because their parents cannot pay but were being let-out by their parents because of their disabilities.
To ensure that children with disabilities are not excluded from the fee-free and compulsory education on the basis of their disabilities, we recommend the following to GFD
(1) GFD should put up an awareness creation on the importance of education for parents/guardians of children with disabilities in communities in the Nkwanta South districts.
(2) GFD should work closely with the Nkwanta South District Assembly, Ghana Health Service, Sight Savers International and traditional/opinion leaders to work out modalities on how to totally eradicate the onchosichiaeses and guinea worms disease from the area.
(3) GFD should strengthen and increase its presence in the district; especially to empower the district office of the Ghana Blind Union (GABU) to enable it spearheads its advocacy work in the district.
Findings on persons of Short Stature (Dwarfs)
Persons of short stature or midgets have medical condition that results in the underdevelopment of their bodies. It is a developmental anomaly, of nutritional or hormone deficiencies, or of other diseases. Those who reach adulthood do not suffer any lessening of their mental or sexual abilities and may have unusual muscular strength
A person of short stature in adulthood may be as small as two and half feet tall. The proportions of body to head and limbs may be normal or abnormal. They may also be deformed and may suffer from mental retardation, physical challenge, or blindness depending on the cause of the condition.
Though the Network application initially did not include investigations on persons of short stature, we deemed it fit to add them after attending the 1st African forum and election of Miss Persons of short stature (Miss personnes de petite taille) at the Malian capital Bamako from 26th July to 1st August 2010 organised by the government of Mali, African Decade Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities regional office, Network of Journalists for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa and the Association Malienne Des Personnes De Petite Taille.
In Ghana, short men and women face challenges in their daily lives. Our interview showed that they have fewer opportunities in education, lack self-esteem, employment, social life, romantic relationships, have fewer children and on average are paid less. Finding adult fashion clothes is very difficult. Short women report that they are not taken serious as their taller peers.
Ninety-eight percent (98%) of persons of short stature interviewed has never attended school or dropped out of school at the initial stages, therefore could not express themselves in English or write it. Therefore there are socioeconomic implications of being short.
They are not well organised in Ghana and therefore does not belong to any association or clubs. A few of them are only visible in the entertainment industry, i.e. dancing and movie making. As a country, there is no proper data/record on persons of short stature.
Recommendation on Persons of Short stature
Short people deserve the same rights, opportunities and privileges as any other member of society. We recommend to GFD the following to make the lives of persons of short stature meaningful
(1) GFD should include issues of Persons of Short Stature in Ghana in all their awareness, advocacy, counselling and research works.
(2) Work closely with PROMOAFRICA to identify, organised and support persons of short stature to form an association that will give them recognition and visibility to enable them fight for their rights and social and economic issues facing them in Ghana.
(3) GFD should develop the right terminology for persons of short stature in Ghana.
Appreciation
The Network of Journalists for the promotion of the Rights of persons with Disabilities in Africa-Ghana Chapter would like to express its appreciation to the following individuals, organisation and PWDs for their assistance and support that enabled successful implementation of the project:
Individuals
Mrs. Rita Kyerema Kusi (Executive Director of GFD),
Nana Oteng Korankye II (Akuapem Twafohene and Chief of Berekuso-Akuapem), Hon. Gerson Gbediame (Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nkwanta South constituency), Nana Kenkyina II (Chief of Kecheibi-Adele)
Organisations
Ghana Federation of the Disabled,
DANIDA,
AFRIKIDS,
Sightsavers international,
Office of the Assemblyman Sirigu,
Rainbow Radio (London)
Asempa FM, (Accra)
Hope FM (Breman Asikuma),
Myjoyonline.com (ACCRA)
Adeshe FM (Bibiani),
Accra Times,
Business Week,
The Daily Searchlight,
The Insight,
The New Crusading Guide and The Daily Democrat.
Persons with Disabilities in the grass root
Parry Perfect Destine-Nkwanta, Boafo Diana-Kecheibi, Appoh Kwajo-Ashiabre, Kwajo Bewel, Yaw Nterm, Akamani Aquah, Clement Awale, Yakubu Kasim, Anto Afua Janet, Nkpoagyator Debora, Benedictor Abasa, Sewura Amida, Melody Ameko, Millicent Nsana, Kuma Docas, Comfort Oduma, Veronica Yaa Ntosu, Nean Meapye, Tenten Sakeybea, Nsana Afua, Adarikwa Kujo and Dikudale Yaa.
Executive summary
The Network of Journalists for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa-Ghana Chapter (PromoAfrica), made up of journalists with the interest in championing the cause of persons with disabilities (PWDs), received support from the Ghana Federation of the Disabled’s (GFD’s) Flex-fund under the DANIDA Project to implement the project entitled “Exposure of the Human Rights violation against Persons with Disabilities in Upper East and Volta Regions Phase 1”.
The purpose was to investigate human right violations against PWDs in the two regions with the view to bringing them to light. In all twenty one (21) journalists were deployed and nine (9) communities were visited. Three (3) in the upper East Region, five (5) in the Volta region and one (1) in Greater Accra Region.
We are very grateful to GFD to this opportunity
Background - PROMOAFRICA Ghana Chapter
PROMOAFRICA Ghana Chapter has a membership of one hundred and five (105) media personnel working in 100 media houses across the regions in both the print and electronics, aimed at advocating for the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities.
The Network was formed by the Africa Decade Secretariat of Persons with Disabilities in Dakar on April 24, 2008 by journalists attending a training workshop on “UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the New Terminology Guide”.
Locally it was launched on the 23rd June 2008 and has since then worked closely with stakeholders in the disability sector to promote the rights of PWDs. It is registered, and is recognized by the African Decade Secretariat of Persons with Disabilities, the National Council on Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD) and the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).
Purpose and specific objectives
As professional communicators, we are in a unique position to shape the public image of persons with disabilities.
Media initiatives and individual journalists can help people feel less isolated, while at the same time challenge negative stereotype in communities.
This is our core objective and for one thing, we can help persons with disabilities in Ghana that are often discriminated and excluded from school, work opportunities and health services, to become more visible in society.
We have the vivid believe that as long as these large of groups of people are invisible, the inequalities experienced by them will remain largely unknown to the general public if we don’t act swiftly as journalists.
Project implementation
For successful implementation of the project two regional executive committees were formed with five members each to tour the areas that the human rights of PWDs were suspected being violated as a forerunner to the visit of the national team to carry out investigations.
16th-21st May 2010, UER: The Upper East team led by Osei Kwame Junior, the local Joy FM correspondent visited Chiana and Srigu where the phenomenon of the “spirit child” syndrome (the believe that children with disabilities are evil and curses from the gods/ancestors) abounds.
19th-24th May 2010, VR: Mr. Patrice Selorm, a freelance journalist led the Volta regional team to pay a two-day working visit to the Nkwanta South district. They visited Kecheibi, Tutukpene, (where onchosichiaeses abounds), Ashiabre, Krontang and Tsieso.
26th May-5th June 2010, tour by National Executives
A seven member team led by the President of PromoAfrica, Seth Amoah Addi, left Accra to the Upper East and the Volta Region. The team’s first visit was to Srigu and Chaina in the Kasina Nankan District of the Upper East region where it met with the local Assemblyman, community leaders, victims in school and some local NGOs already working in the area notable among them, Afrikids.
Findings on spirit child syndrome:
“Phenomenon of the spirit child syndrome” where the locals believe that children with disabilities are evil and curse from the gods/ancestors therefore they must be killed.
At Sirigu and Chaina in the Kasina Nankan district, there is a widespread belief that children born with physical deformities or with complex medical conditions are “kinkirogo” or spirit child who have been sent to bring harm or calamity to their families and are not meant for this world.
The locals, as soon as they identify a “kinkirogo” or spirit child, contact a spiritualist and a concoction is given to the baby to drink. If the baby dies after drinking the concoction then it confirms that the baby is a “kinkirogo” sent to bring calamity to the parents.
Due to the activeness of some grassroots NGOs these rituals though persisting have gone down. They are now conducted in quiet secretly as the “Kinkirogo” belief is a long term tradition which the people will not trade for anything.
Some innocent children has been killed simply because they were born with physical deformities or with complex medical conditions and this goes contrary to article 13 (1) of the 1992 constitution of the republic of Ghana “no person shall be deprived of his life intentionally except in the exercise of the execution of a sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence under the laws of Ghana of which he has been convicted” and 29(1) ”disabled persons have the right to live with their family or with foster parents and to participate in social, creative or recreational activities”
RECOMMENDATION ON THE SPIRIT CHILD PHENOMENON
Recognizing that the child occupies a unique and privileged position in the African society and that for the full harmonious development of his personality, body and mind, the child should grow up in a family environment, in an atmosphere of happiness, love and understanding,
Acknowledging that children require particular care with regard to health, physical, mental, moral and social development, and need legal protection in conditions of freedom, dignity and security
Considering the virtue of historical tradition and values of African civilization which should inspire and characterize reflections of human and peoples’ rights,
Recognizing again that fundamental human rights stem from the attributes of human beings which justify their national and international protection and that respect of people’s rights should necessarily guarantee human rights,
We strongly recommend the following to the Ghana Federation of the Disabled and its allies
(1) GFD should increase its advocacy work and awareness on the human rights of children with disabilities (CWDs) regarding harmful practices through information, education and outreach programmes in the Kasina Nankana district especially communities in and around Sirigu.
(2) GFD should strengthens and increase its presence in the district to enable it protect children with disability who are at risk of being subjected to harmful practices or all other forms of violence, abuse and intolerance.
(3) GFD should work closely with AFRIKIDS, a grassroots NGO in the district with vast knowledge and experience on the “Kinkirogo” phenomenon in the provision of necessary support to victims of harmful practices through basic services such as health services, legal and judicial support, emotional and psychological counselling as well as vocational training to make them self supporting.
(4) GFD should advocate the establishment of a school for children with disabilities to be sited in the district or the regional capital Bolgatanga. (As most of the indigenes has not seen children with disabilities living and working independently).
(5) GFD should work intimately with the District Assembly and the NCPD to adopt appropriate measures to eliminate harmful social and cultural practices affecting welfare, dignity, normal growth and development of children born with disabilities and in particular; those customs and practices prejudicial to the health or life of children with disability which are discriminatory to the child on the grounds of health status.
(6) For GFD’s advocacy and campaign on the above subject, we recommend the usage of article 7 &8 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and optional protocol as a strong tool.
Findings on Nkwanta South District
The team also visited the Nkwanta south district, which is one of the most deprived districts in the Volta region. It abounds with guinea worm infestation and onchosichiaeses - diseases that lead to severe disabilities. Indeed the ddistrict was chosen by the network because it is Ghana’s second endemic area for guinea worms according to the 2004, 2005 -2007 Ghana Health Service report.
Black flies that infect human with the onchosichiaeses disease that leads to permanent blindness, abounds at Tutukpene a village 40 kilometres from Nkwanta, the district capital. Ghana Association of the Blind and Sight Savers International are visible in the area.
Kecheibi, Ashiabre, Odumasi, and Krontang also have a high level of guinea worm infestation. Most children infected are often rendered physically deformed or paralysed.
Due to economic hardship and lack of awareness children with disabilities are mostly denied education. Over 15 children with disabilities of school going age interviewed mentioned that they do not go to school at all or have become school dropouts because of their disabilities.
Recommendation on Nkwanta District
The Ghanaian youth including those with disabilities sets a benchmark for the practice to assist government and other stakeholders in fulfilling its commitment as spelt out in the national constitution to involve the youth in decision-making regarding the development of policy, programs and services, and as the agents of change and partners, with the opportunity to change the status quo for a better today and tomorrow, and to inject into them a sense of participation in national development, education is key to them
One of the main reasons that children in Ghana do not attend school is that their parents simply cannot afford to pay the levies charged by the schools. Despite government’s policy of fee-free tuition in basic school, some children with disabilities in the Nkwanta South district were left out of basic education not because their parents cannot pay but were being let-out by their parents because of their disabilities.
To ensure that children with disabilities are not excluded from the fee-free and compulsory education on the basis of their disabilities, we recommend the following to GFD
(1) GFD should put up an awareness creation on the importance of education for parents/guardians of children with disabilities in communities in the Nkwanta South districts.
(2) GFD should work closely with the Nkwanta South District Assembly, Ghana Health Service, Sight Savers International and traditional/opinion leaders to work out modalities on how to totally eradicate the onchosichiaeses and guinea worms disease from the area.
(3) GFD should strengthen and increase its presence in the district; especially to empower the district office of the Ghana Blind Union (GABU) to enable it spearheads its advocacy work in the district.
Findings on persons of Short Stature (Dwarfs)
Persons of short stature or midgets have medical condition that results in the underdevelopment of their bodies. It is a developmental anomaly, of nutritional or hormone deficiencies, or of other diseases. Those who reach adulthood do not suffer any lessening of their mental or sexual abilities and may have unusual muscular strength
A person of short stature in adulthood may be as small as two and half feet tall. The proportions of body to head and limbs may be normal or abnormal. They may also be deformed and may suffer from mental retardation, physical challenge, or blindness depending on the cause of the condition.
Though the Network application initially did not include investigations on persons of short stature, we deemed it fit to add them after attending the 1st African forum and election of Miss Persons of short stature (Miss personnes de petite taille) at the Malian capital Bamako from 26th July to 1st August 2010 organised by the government of Mali, African Decade Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities regional office, Network of Journalists for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa and the Association Malienne Des Personnes De Petite Taille.
In Ghana, short men and women face challenges in their daily lives. Our interview showed that they have fewer opportunities in education, lack self-esteem, employment, social life, romantic relationships, have fewer children and on average are paid less. Finding adult fashion clothes is very difficult. Short women report that they are not taken serious as their taller peers.
Ninety-eight percent (98%) of persons of short stature interviewed has never attended school or dropped out of school at the initial stages, therefore could not express themselves in English or write it. Therefore there are socioeconomic implications of being short.
They are not well organised in Ghana and therefore does not belong to any association or clubs. A few of them are only visible in the entertainment industry, i.e. dancing and movie making. As a country, there is no proper data/record on persons of short stature.
Recommendation on Persons of Short stature
Short people deserve the same rights, opportunities and privileges as any other member of society. We recommend to GFD the following to make the lives of persons of short stature meaningful
(1) GFD should include issues of Persons of Short Stature in Ghana in all their awareness, advocacy, counselling and research works.
(2) Work closely with PROMOAFRICA to identify, organised and support persons of short stature to form an association that will give them recognition and visibility to enable them fight for their rights and social and economic issues facing them in Ghana.
(3) GFD should develop the right terminology for persons of short stature in Ghana.
Appreciation
The Network of Journalists for the promotion of the Rights of persons with Disabilities in Africa-Ghana Chapter would like to express its appreciation to the following individuals, organisation and PWDs for their assistance and support that enabled successful implementation of the project:
Individuals
Mrs. Rita Kyerema Kusi (Executive Director of GFD),
Nana Oteng Korankye II (Akuapem Twafohene and Chief of Berekuso-Akuapem), Hon. Gerson Gbediame (Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nkwanta South constituency), Nana Kenkyina II (Chief of Kecheibi-Adele)
Organisations
Ghana Federation of the Disabled,
DANIDA,
AFRIKIDS,
Sightsavers international,
Office of the Assemblyman Sirigu,
Rainbow Radio (London)
Asempa FM, (Accra)
Hope FM (Breman Asikuma),
Myjoyonline.com (ACCRA)
Adeshe FM (Bibiani),
Accra Times,
Business Week,
The Daily Searchlight,
The Insight,
The New Crusading Guide and The Daily Democrat.
Persons with Disabilities in the grass root
Parry Perfect Destine-Nkwanta, Boafo Diana-Kecheibi, Appoh Kwajo-Ashiabre, Kwajo Bewel, Yaw Nterm, Akamani Aquah, Clement Awale, Yakubu Kasim, Anto Afua Janet, Nkpoagyator Debora, Benedictor Abasa, Sewura Amida, Melody Ameko, Millicent Nsana, Kuma Docas, Comfort Oduma, Veronica Yaa Ntosu, Nean Meapye, Tenten Sakeybea, Nsana Afua, Adarikwa Kujo and Dikudale Yaa.
Monday, September 13, 2010
NEW GOVERNING BOARD OF PROMOAFRICA
Date: 25th July 2010
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING: ELECTION OF NATIONAL EXECUTIVES
We, members The Network of Journalists for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa-Ghana Chapter (PROMOAFRICA) at a mini General Assembly held on the 25th July 2010 at the SSINT Guest House in accordance with our constitution, in line with article 6, 7 and 8 has agreed to elect the following officers to steer the affairs of the network until the next general assembly is held.
No
Name
position
Media House
Town/Region
1
Amoah Seth Kwaku Addi
President
Evening Tribune Newspaper
Accra
2
Jeorge Wilson Kingson
Vice President
BusinessWeek
Newspaper
Accra
3
Timothy Antwi Otoo
Organizing Secretary
Asempa FM
Accra
4
Nana Yaa Yeboah
Financial Officer
Adeshe FM
Bibiani
5
Mariam Nyarkoah Amponsah
Executive Secretary
Evening Tribune Newspaper
Accra
6
Jemima Aggrey
Appointed member
Yes FM
Cape Coast
7
EMANUEL OHENE GYA
Appointed member
Kyzz FM
Takoradi
8
OHEMAA KENTE
Appointed member
Dinpa FM
Sunyani
9
ANASS SHIABU
Appointed member
North Star Radio
Tamale
10
ISAAC ASARE
Appointed member
URA RADIO
BOLGA
Bolgatanga
11
Akua Boakyewaa
Appointed member
Hot FM
Accra
12
MICHAEL AKROFI
Appointed member
Eastern FM
Koforidua
SIGNED BY Mariam Nyarkoah Amponsah
Executive secretary
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING: ELECTION OF NATIONAL EXECUTIVES
We, members The Network of Journalists for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa-Ghana Chapter (PROMOAFRICA) at a mini General Assembly held on the 25th July 2010 at the SSINT Guest House in accordance with our constitution, in line with article 6, 7 and 8 has agreed to elect the following officers to steer the affairs of the network until the next general assembly is held.
No
Name
position
Media House
Town/Region
1
Amoah Seth Kwaku Addi
President
Evening Tribune Newspaper
Accra
2
Jeorge Wilson Kingson
Vice President
BusinessWeek
Newspaper
Accra
3
Timothy Antwi Otoo
Organizing Secretary
Asempa FM
Accra
4
Nana Yaa Yeboah
Financial Officer
Adeshe FM
Bibiani
5
Mariam Nyarkoah Amponsah
Executive Secretary
Evening Tribune Newspaper
Accra
6
Jemima Aggrey
Appointed member
Yes FM
Cape Coast
7
EMANUEL OHENE GYA
Appointed member
Kyzz FM
Takoradi
8
OHEMAA KENTE
Appointed member
Dinpa FM
Sunyani
9
ANASS SHIABU
Appointed member
North Star Radio
Tamale
10
ISAAC ASARE
Appointed member
URA RADIO
BOLGA
Bolgatanga
11
Akua Boakyewaa
Appointed member
Hot FM
Accra
12
MICHAEL AKROFI
Appointed member
Eastern FM
Koforidua
SIGNED BY Mariam Nyarkoah Amponsah
Executive secretary
Saturday, August 7, 2010
OUR PRESIDENT APPOINTED TO LEAD AFRICA
Mr. Seth Amoah K Addi, the local Chapter president of the Network of Journalists for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa, has been appointed as the first Secretary General of the Network for the whole Africa for four years.
Mr. Addi was elected at the first General Assemble of the Network at the Malian Capital Bamako. The occasion was graced by the First lady of Mali H.E Lobo Traore Toure , official from the Africa Decade secretariate on Persons with Disabilities and over 60 participating journalists from all over Africa.
Mr. Addi was elected by an unopposed. Also Miss Mariam Amponsah of the Ghanaian network was elected as the treasure for persons with small sized in Africa.
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