Mrs Lordina Mahama Donates To Disabled People In Western Region

The First Lady Mrs Lordina Mahama says Ghanaians, ought to strive to inspire disabled people to achieve their full potential in life. According to her it is time society change out-dated perceptions of disabled people.

The First Lady made the observation when she donated cartons of wheelchairs, carts, and albino cream, walking sticks and white canes to persons living with disability in Western Region.

Mrs Mahama noted that the way public authorities and criminal justice system respond and protect people with disability must be changed.

“I appeal to all stakeholders, including employers and the corporate world, to encourage people living with disability; to create opportunity for them to participate in all economic and social activities, without any form of discrimination or stigma” she stated.

She called on Parents, Teachers, religious bodies, corporate organisations, non-governmental Organisations to continue to perform their social responsibilities to enhance quality life for people living with disability.

In Ghana and many other parts of the world, there are stigmas, negative attitudes and social taboos expressed against persons with disability. These negative attitudes lead to the neglect of these vulnerable people thereby hampering the development of their God-given potentials.

This the First Lady describes as unacceptable. She stressed that having a disability does not mean a person is not healthy but because of stigma and discrimination people with disability are subjected to depression, and other health challenges.

It is for this reason she believe all must avoid discriminative behaviour and rather show care and love towards the disabled in our society.

Mrs Mahama said with the coming on stream of the new educational reforms, the government has put pragmatic measures in place, for academic and technical/vocational education, for persons with disability to prepare them for opportunities on the job market.

“It is important emphasising this point as I have always done, that persons with disability do not need our sympathy, what they need is opportunity” she noted

She reiterated government commitment who through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, is committed to fully implementing the Disability Act, which has been passed under this government.

“Government’s commitment to the welfare of the disabled is expressed in the appointment of Dr Henry Seidu Danaa as Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs. As part of the implementation of the Act, many more public places are now disabled user friendly”.

She said the Lordina Foundation will continue to support Government initiatives towards disabled people that will allow them many opportunities and to live independently and to reach their full potential.

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