GFD urged to intensify advocacy on the inclusion of Special needs parents in policies and laws

Parents of children with disabilities indirectly experience discrimination, exclusion abuse and stigma just as persons with disabilities

 

Mrs Hannah Awadzi, Executive Director of the Special Mothers Project, an advocacy and awareness creation programme on Cerebral palsy issues has therefore called on the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) to intensify advocacy on the inclusion of Special needs parents in policies and laws.

 

She made the call at workshop organised by the GFD to build the capacity of the advocacy committee on the National Development Planning Commission four-year development plan.

 

The workshop explored how the NDPC's development plan aligned with disability inclusion goals, the Inclusive Education Policy and other issues.

 

Mrs Awadzi said, there are no policies to support parents of children with disabilities in Ghana, yet the parents’ well-being is directly linked to the well-being of the child with disability.

 

"Parents experience exclusion, discrimination, stigma and abuse because of their children and there are no policies to protect them, " Special needs parents are indirectly disabled" She added.

 

Mr Porekuu Peter Francis Xavier, Principal Planning Analyst at the NDPC who took participants through the development planning process advised the GFD to work towards mainstreaming their issues in the development process right from the District Assemblies.

 

He said the NDPC was particular about human capital development strategies which focused mainly on investing in human beings.

 

He said the development Planning process encouraged Special interests’ groups to submit their needs to the district Assemblies and nominate representatives to be part of the planning committees.

 

Mr Abdul Wahab Adams, Programme Officer at the GFD said the organisation was moving towards engaging in results-based advocacy and urged members of the advocacy committee to build their capacity towards that.

I want to be the person who advocates for the vulnerable and voiceless – Mrs Prempeh

 

Mrs Alma Prempeh, wife of the NPP's running mate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has committed to become an advocate for the vulnerable and voiceless in society

She said" I want to be the person who advocates for the vulnerable and voiceless in our society"

Mrs Prempeh made the commitment when she met members of the Special Mothers Project, an advocacy and awareness creation programme on Cerebral palsy issues and issues affecting families raising children with disabilities

She said the NPP was committed to the welfare of people especially the vulnerable including mothers of children with disabilities in Ghana.

Explaining the policies of the party to about 150 mothers of children with Cerebral palsy and other disabilities, Mrs Prempeh said, "I am here for a reason, I am here to help parents like you live the life you deserve "

"Everyone deserves a financially independent life," she added.

She advised the parents that they shouldn't feel ashamed of their children

Mrs Prempeh said, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President and the flagbearer of the NPP was coming with good intentions  and urged the Special Needs parents community to vote massively for him to enable him bring his good intentions to fruition

Mrs Prempeh supported by some executives of the NPP donated sewing machines, hair dryers. Gas stoves, cloth and some money to support the parents go into income generating ventures.

Mrs Hannah Awadzi, Executive Director of the Special Mothers Project expressed her appreciation to the NPP for opening their gates to listen to the concerns of Special needs parents.

She urged them to involve parents in policy formulation to ensure that their needs were met.

Mrs Awadzi also urged the NPP to pay attention to the Caregiver industry and create programmes that will support Special needs parents with caregivers even at the household level.