12-05-2011
Narration: Traditional authorities resident in the three regions of the north have been challenged to join hands in shaping the negative public perception of children born with various forms of disabilities. This will help promote a socially inclusive society, where all people particularly, persons with disability will feel valued and respected with their basic needs met, so that they can live in dignity. The Upper East Programme’s Coordinator for the Prevention of Childhood Disability, Marjolein Meande Baltussen, made the appeal at a Community sensitization programme held for the chiefs and people of Mirigu, a farming community in the Kassena-Nankana East District of the Upper East Region. Isaac Asare was there for Radio Ghana.
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The community durbar which focused on the prevention of childhood disability brought together dignitaries from Niger as well as a team from the Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon. It was jointly organized by the Presbyterian Community Based Rehabilitation Programme (CBR) and Afrikids Ghana, a non governmental organization, working in the promotion and rights of children in deprived communities of the country. Madam Baltussen in a brief presentation laid particular emphasis on the need to prevent childhood disabilities since 75 percent cases of childhood disabilities could be avoided through proper medication and early detection. She also advocated for the need to give care and attention to children with disabilities and not consider them as ‘spirit children’. Such children she noted can be nurtured to become who they are rather than subjecting them to all kinds of maltreatment. Mrs. Baltussen, however, called for total collaboration in eradicating childhood disability in the communities stressing that, men has a major role in achieving the set objective particularly in the area of early detection. She made a passionate appeal to the people, most especially, pregnant women to take much of the local foods during pregnancy since it can help ensure safe delivery. The Country Director of Afrikids, Mr. Nicholas Kumah on his part charged the people to respect the rights of children in society. He was particularly concerned about the way children’s rights are abused with impunity and called for an end to such social injustices. Touching on the importance of Child Rights Clubs (CRCs)in schools, Mr. Kuma said the establishment of the clubs has been a supporting factor over the years, thereby contributing immensely towards HIV and AIDS awareness creation as well as the fight against the ‘spirit child’ phenomenon. According to him, the establishments of the clubs have impacted positively in schools as it has contributed in improving relationship between teachers and pupils, thereby enhancing the academic performance of pupils belonging to the clubs. Mr. Kuma therefore appealed to all to commit themselves to the activities of the CRCs and support them in whatever way possible to run their activities. A CBR Programmes Coordinator from Sandema, Maxwell Akandem advocated for the need to treat persons with disability with respect and dignity and not subject them to abuses and public ridicule, since negative attitudes towards such persons rather worsened their plight, thus making them feel excluded from the society. Mr. Christopher Ali, who shared with participants his life time experience as a physically challenged person, seized the opportunity to educate the people on the need to treat physically challenged persons with respect and dignity since disability is not a barrier to progress. He later demonstrated his academic skills to the admiration of the participants to prove that disability is not inability. Mr. Ali further charged the people to give care and attention to children with disability to make them feel part of the society and moreover, help unearth their inherent talents and abilities.
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