Network Demands Apology to the Visually Impaired

17-03-2010 Network Demands Apology to the Visually Impaired

The Network of Journalists for the Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa-Ghana Chapter(PROMOAFRICA) has condemn the blatant attack unleashed on visually impaired persons in Ghana by Kwame Dzokoto,a television personality and a presenter of Hello FM in Kumasi during the just ended MTN nominee Jam at the Takoradi Polytechnic Park. This was contained in a release signed by the Local Chapter President of the Network, Mr Seth K.Addi. According to the release on March 16, 2010, Mr Dzokoto who was serving as the Master of Ceremony (MC) for the said event, asked his audience who were wearing spectacles to remove them because to him they look like blind men. To the Network this statement is in contravention to article 37(1) and (2) of the Disability Act, 2006(Act715) which clearly states that ‘a person shall not call a person with disability derogatory names due to the state of disability of the person. a person who contravenes subsection 1 of the act commits an offence and is liable on summary to a fine not exceeding penalty units or a term of imprisonment not exceeding three months or to both. The Network is therefore demanding an apology from Mr Dzokoto through the Ghana Federation of the Disabled to all visually impaired persons, who are greatly offended with his unguided statement with the intention of putting persons with disabilities into public ridicule. The Network has also threatened legal action against Mr Dzokoto if he fails to render the apology. It is also appealing to all media practitioners in Ghana to portray persons with disabilities in a manner consistent with the UN Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Disability Law, Act 715. However, media personnel should recognized the value existence and potential contribution being made by persons with disabilities to the overall wellbeing and diversity of their communities and promote their skills, merits and abilities and contributions to the workplace and the labour market rather than putting them into public ridicule.
GBC END IA/