Disability Advocate calls for greater support for mothers of children with disabilities on Mother’s Day

Mr. Jacob Amoah Disability advocate

Disability advocate Mr. Jacob Amoah has called on government, families, and society to provide stronger support and recognition for mothers caring for children with disabilities, saying more must be done beyond existing interventions.

Speaking on Swiss 93.7FM in Ho on Friday during a programme in recognition of Mothers and Workers’ Living with Disabiltity, Mr. Amoah highlighted the daily sacrifices made by caregivers, especially mothers, who spend long hours supporting their children.

He pointed to the revised guidelines for the disbursement of the 3% disability common fund, which acknowledge that some caregivers, such as parents of children with autism, can spend up to 15 hours a day providing care. The guidelines allow for support to be extended to these caregivers to help sustain their role.

However, Mr. Amoah said the support remains inadequate. He noted that many mothers face stigma, financial strain, and mistreatment, particularly those living in rented apartments where landlords and neighbors often show little understanding.

He added that even within families, mothers of children with disabilities are sometimes treated differently and wrongly blamed, with some relatives viewing the condition as a curse.

“Disability can occur in many ways through birth, accidents, illness, medication, or lifestyle factors. It can affect anyone,” he said, urging the public to discard misconceptions about disability.

In his Mother’s Day message, Mr. Amoah urged government and society to give mothers of children with disabilities the recognition and assistance they deserve. He said such recognition would motivate others and reinforce the message that disability is not inability.

Speaking from personal experience, the advocate said his own progress would not have been possible without his mother’s support. “If my mother had neglected or forsaken me because of my condition, I would not be who I am today,” he stated.

He emphasized that people with disabilities possess unique skills and resilience that often go unrecognized. “Some of the things we can do, even able-bodied persons cannot. We are special people with special gifts from God,” he said.

Mr. Amoah called on government, society, families, and individuals to use occasions like Mother’s Day to reflect on how best to support parents of children with disabilities and to ensure they are not left to carry the burden alone.