Ghanaians Asked To protect, Respect Children With Disabilities

Students in Soweto South Africa riot against racism in 1976

Children in Ghana constitute the single largest sub-group (about 50%) of the population, according to UNICEF. Born into a society with distinctly rich cultures and values, they are expected to be nurtured and enjoy physical, social and mental well being. However, this is far from the case because a majority of them are disadvantaged for a variety of reasons.

According to a 2007 Supplementary District Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey by UNICEF, 19% of children aged 2 – 9 years in both Northern and Upper West Regions, had at least one form of disability as reported by their mothers and caretakers. The Upper East Region had a relatively low percentage of 17%. The 2010 Census also indicates that 20% of the population is made up of persons with disabilities.

Thus, as Africa celebrates this year’s AU Day of the African Child which falls on 16^th June every year, the theme for the occasion has been loud on children with disabilities: “The Rights of Children with Disabilities; Duty to Protect, Respect, Promote and Fulfill.”

According to the Head of UNICEF’s Tamale Field Office, Clara Dube, because of discriminatory practices, many children with disabilities tend to live in the shadows and margins of society, and as a result their rights were overlooked. Adding, she said often, children did not get the education and healthcare they needed, and they were excluded from activities in their community.

So far, 25 out of 55 African countries have not yet ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its protocol option. Ghana, which was the first country to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990, was yet to ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This convention according to Madam Clara, is a major step towards changing the perception of disability, and ensures that societies recognize that persons with disabilities must be provided with equal opportunities to live life to their fullest potential.  

She said UNICEF was supporting Ghana to train teachers and the development of adequate learning materials and facilities. Further to this, she said UNICEF supported concrete interventions for children with disabilities or visual impairment, through the distribution of textbooks in Braille as was seen in some African countries.

Fortunately, the Ghana Education Strategic Plan for 2010 – 2020 is very explicit on inclusive education. The plan indicates that all children irrespective of sex, ethnicity and ability/disability have access to quality education. In this regard, Madam Clara added that UNICEF was partnering the government in developing child-friendly schools’ standards that would be implemented to facilitate access to children with mix abilities.

She further disclosed that the organization was in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare, and other NGOs working on child related issues, to setup coordination committees on Orphans and Vulnerable Children in all ten regions of Ghana. The role of these committees, she explained, was to sensitise parents, communities and general public on the rights of children, and in particular rights of vulnerable children including those with disabilities.

The Head of UNICEF’s Tamale Field Office reiterated that issues of children with disabilities must continue to engage the attention of everyone and for that matter be at the centre of the nation’s development agenda. 

A speech read on behalf of the Country Director of CCFC, Gifty Akosua Baka, also revealed that per the 2000 Census, there were over 800,000 children under the age of 15 years with disabilities. Out of this, she noted that a greater percentage were out of the special school system.

She called on government agencies and departments responsible for child care and support, especially the Department of Social Welfare and human rights organizations, to intensify public education on the disability ACT (ACT 715, 2006).

Madam Akosua Baka also appealed to all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in the North to provide disability aids in public schools, libraries and other educational facilities to enable children with disabilities enjoy equal rights to quality education.

She further appealed to government to equip the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development with adequate resources to be able to train and support community volunteers including teachers and parents in remote communities in health assessment of children to facilitate early detection, treatment and management of disabilities in children.   

In a speech read on behalf of the Northern Regional Minister, Moses Bukari Mabengba, he appealed to people in the region to desist from behaviours that could bring mayhem before, during and after the 2012 general elections.

Whilst commending the organizers of the program for their effort to bring stakeholders on a single platform to deliberate on issues affecting children, the minister encouraged more of such events to be organized in order to deal with witchcraft or wizard accusations often leveled against children with disabilities, thereby affecting development and social relations.

The AU Day of the African Child is celebrated on 16^th June every year by the African Union in line with resolution 1290 to commemorate the 1976 massacre of Soweto children, who merely took to the streets to demand their right to racism-free education, in the then apartheid South Africa.  

As part of the commemoration, the AU Committee on children came out with six strong objectives some of which include raising awareness about the rights, capabilities and potential of children with disabilities and to draw attention to the situation of children with disabilities who are particularly vulnerable to marginalization and violence, for example, children with intellectual disabilities and albinism;

Secondly, to facilitate a clearer understanding of the practical implications of the different duties arising from signature and ratification of regional and international human rights instruments;

Thirdly, to strongly recommend the review of existing legislative and policy frameworks at the national level to address discrimination against children with disabilities and to ensure the effective inclusion of these children in all areas of society, among others.