In Ghana, people with disabili­ties (PWDs) still face a variety of discriminatory practices and social exclusion, despite the fact that they should have equal access to opportunities and services as people without disabilities.

Disability discrimination occurs when someone with a disability faces less favourable treatment in the same or comparable condi­tions than someone without the disability.

PWDs for example, must work, attend school, and have access to healthcare. Access to certain services like rehabilitation and assistive technology like wheel­chairs and braille materials is also necessary for them.

Sadly, PWDs frequently face discrimination, prejudice, and stigma, even in the face of several anti-discrimination legislation designed to uphold their rights and encourage their involvement in mainstream society.

For example, the Persons with Disability Act, 715, was passed in 2006 with the intention of estab­lishing the legal framework nec­essary to advance and safeguard the rights of PWDs, particularly women and girls with disabilities.

However, according to the Gha­na Statistical Service (GSS) 2012 report PWDs, who make up an es­timated three percent of Ghana’s 25 million inhabitants, are among the most marginalised groups in the country.

These views may originate from people’s conceptions of disabili­ty in society, which may include views of disability as a personal tragedy, a disease that must be healed or avoided, a penalty for misbehaviour, or a sign that a per­son is incapable of acting in a way that is expected of them.

It is imperative that the gen­eral public, particularly young people, be made more aware of the needs and struggles of people with disabilities, and that an open discourse and sense of empathy be fostered.

In light of this, the Spectator praises the opinions of Ms. Martha Awuley Lartey, a PWD advocate and the district coordinator of the Church of Pentecost’s Ministry to Persons with Disability (MPWD) at the New Moneomanye District in Ashaiman.

According to her, young chil­dren should be made aware of the need to fight discrimination against PWDs so that they might grow up believing that God loves PWDs and spreading this message to their peers to help improve the lives of all PWDs.

Ms Lartey believed that more active advocacy was needed in churches and schools, particularly through children’s programmes, to encourage more people to be responsible around PWDs.

She said that people may become incapacitated due to medical malpractice, domestic mishaps, car crashes, or other cir­cumstances that are beyond their control and that children should be made aware of these.

In The Spectator’s opinion children who were well-informed, would hardly ever treat their classmates with disabilities disre­spectfully. Rather, they will treat everyone the way they want to be treated.

We implore the government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), philanthropists, schools, and religious organisations, among others, to prioritise meeting the needs of PWDs so they can lead fulfilling lives.