Iyke: Treat disabled children with respect and dignity

03-09-2012

Although, the UN Convention on the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) enshrines the respect for the evolving capacities of children with all forms of disabilities, stigmatization remains a threat, thus making them feel isolated and excluded in society. Many of these children live in isolation and are invisible to society, often kept indoors and out of sight. They are less interactive with peers or adults in whom they could confide, notwithstanding the stigma attached to their predicaments. For this reason and more, children with disabilities in the Upper East Region have been given the full recognition as the country marks the National Children’s Day Celebration, a day set aside in August 31 each year by the Women and Children Ministry and its partners to promote awareness on the status of the Ghanaian child. The day creates an enabling platform to focus on the work of all actors committed to the rights of children in the country and also consolidate their effort in providing remedies for the realization of the rights of children, especially those with deformed characters. The day is also set aside to provide an occasion for government institutions, NGOs and communities to renew their on-going commitment towards improving the plights of vulnerable and marginalized children through inclusive public activities. The theme for this year’s celebration which focuses on the rights of children with disabilities, subsequently emphasize the role of the community in achieving the desire goal of the UN state protocol stipulated in Article (3) clause (h) of the convention. The Regional Director, Department of Children for the Upper East, Georgina Aberese-Ako reiterated the urgent need for sustained efforts at addressing the obstacles militating against children’s right. Mrs Aberese-Ako who was speaking at a brief gathering involving chiefs and community members in Sumbrungu, said children most children with disabilities suffer all forms of abuse as a result of entrenched social and structural discrimination fashioned against them. Such children most often are made to swallow the pill of abuse with relatives and family members constituting the major perpetrators. The situation, she lamented, calls for positive attitudinal change by the society, saying it is indefensible for society to ignore disabled persons, especially children. She said children with disabilities deserve to be empowered and given a chance to preserve their identities. Mr. Ahmed Awal, Project Manager Rural Initiative for Self Empowerment, an NGO appealed to all well meaning Ghanaians, particularly chiefs to prioritize the education needs of disabled children to enable them realize their full potentials. To him, they are entitled to the same rights to key services and not to be discriminated against. Mr Awal therefore entreated all to be committed to their welfare. The Chief of Sumbrungu, Naba Clement Aberese called for zero discrimination against children with disability.

GBC END IA/