The Ghana Association of Persons with Albinism (GAPA) has called on the government to mainstream albinism and disability issues in all levels of education and healthcare systems in the country.
A statement issued by the Executive Director of the association, Newton Kwamla Katseku to commemorate International Albinism Awareness Day observed on June 13 every year, stated that the “government needs to mainstream albinism and disability issues in all levels of the educational system. Some textbooks should be printed in large font and persons with albinism allowed to sit closer to chalkboards in classrooms. Also, students with albinism should be allowed some extra time during examinations and also put measures in place to and allocate enough resources to effectively implement the inclusive education policy. This will create an opportunity for persons with disabilities to have better education”
According to the association, there are an estimated population of over 2,571 registered persons with albinism in the country, and many of them are economically marginalized hence cannot afford sun care products to protect their skins from the harmful sun rays attributed to increasing cases of skin cancers among it members, therefore, called for inclusion of sun care products, dermatological and optical services on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) drugs and services list for Persons with Albinism
The Ghana Association of Persons with Albinism also urged the government to complement the effort of the association and Engage Now Africa, NGO, to build a reliable and accurate database of all persons with albinism in the country to guide policy direction and interventions.
The International Albinism Awareness Day is a global event adopted by the United Nations, with the aim to increasing international attention on the human rights situation of persons with albinism, and to recognize the importance of increasing awareness and understanding of albinism to fight against global discrimination and stigma against persons with albinism.
This year’s theme “Strength Beyond All Odds” is seeking to reflect on the resilience, perseverance, and achievements of persons with albinism in the face of pervasive misconceptions, discrimination, and violence.
The Ghana Association of Persons with Albinism believes a lot more is needed to be done to protect and economically empower persons with albinism in the country.
The association wants the government to ratify the African Disability Protocol which seeks to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
It also called on the ministry of gender children and social protection “in with NCPD to fully domesticate and full implementation of the regional action plan on albinism in Africa which was adopted by the AU for the enjoyment of the rights of persons with albinism”, while urging the ministry of chieftaincy and culture to call for inter-ministerial dialogue with relevant institutions and the national house of chiefs to end cultural banishment of persons with albinism in most communities in Ghana.
Source: Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
