Accra: Mrs Hannah Awadzi, Founder and Executive Director of the Inclusive Family Alliance, has urged Ghanaians to end superstition and stigma surrounding disability. She highlighted that harmful beliefs linking disability to bad omens continue to fuel discrimination and social exclusion in society.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mrs Awadzi emphasized in an interview that disability is not a curse and can affect anyone at any time. She stated, "So as a society, we need to change our attitude towards Persons with Disabilities because you do not know the next step that will make you a Person with Disability."
Mrs Awadzi pointed out that changing public attitudes is essential to promoting inclusion and improving opportunities for persons with disabilities. She stated, "Taking out superstition is the first step. When attitudes change, policies and opportunities will follow."
She underscored that every progressive society implements systems and programs to support persons with disabilities. Mrs Awadzi urged Ghanaians to view inclusion as a shared responsibility, stressing the importance of societal cooperation in fostering an inclusive environment.
The Inclusive Family Alliance, according to Mrs Awadzi, collaborates with institutions, organizations, and communities to promote positive attitudes towards disability. The organization also supports parents of children with disabilities by providing information and creating spaces where families can seek support without fear of stigma.
Mrs Awadzi concluded, "One of the things that we do is get people to change how they think about disability. If you do not understand, ask. Don't assume."