Persons with disabilities are one of the largest oppressed minority groups in Ghana, making up an estimated 3% of Ghana’s population.
Persons with Disabilities in Ghana continue to suffer social exclusion, marginalization, and deleterious stereotypes.
The plight of persons with disabilities is worst in rural areas where socio-economic opportunities are very limited amid stereotypes and beliefs.
The disheartening living condition of a 30-year-old widow – Ama Comfort at Tease in Kwahu Afram Plains South District of the Eastern Region is a reflection of widespread challenges facing persons with disabilities in rural areas in Ghana.
Ama is a mother of two children -a 9-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy.
Ama was not born with her condition. She suffered a disability at age 5 after a life-threatening illness which got her paralyzed with the legs coiled to her body.
She has since been gaining on her hands instead of the legs.
Ama did not have formal education due to her condition which disallowed her to walk a long distance from her village to school likable children in the village.
Life has been extremely difficult for Ama particularly after the death of the father of his two children who was a driver.
“Life has not been easy for me and my children. I used to crawl to 5 to 6Km to labor on-farm by harvesting for farmers who give me token for my upkeep but I couldn’t continue due to my condition. Sometimes when it rains I get stuck in the bush. So I am really suffering”
The Afram Plains South District Assembly through the disability fund provided Ama an empty Container shop a year ago but she is struggling to get capital to stock it turning the shop into a white elephant.
“The assembly and government gave me this container shop which I am grateful. I even tried to extend the roofing and hired Mason to construct it here. But I don’t have money to stock it. The Assembly gave me a box of biscuit but it was expired so I couldn’t sell”.
Ama’s wheelchair provided her by the Assembly years ago has damaged.
“My wheelchair has damaged years ago. Going to the toilet is even a challenge. Because I walk on my hands I am unable to access the deplorable public toilets which are not disability friendly.so I crawl to a house far from here where the woman allowed me to use. my difficulty is when I have to ease myself when raining or at night.”
Ama currently stays with her mother, her two children, and siblings all totaling a family of 8 in a single room which was serving a chemical shop store but converted to accommodation.
Ama’s mother Akosua Mensah a 60-year-old widow lost her husband at age 40 and subsequently lost three of her elder children leaving five.
She has since been farming to support the children but aging has affected her health hence walks with a stick.
“When the disease started I sent Ama to many Hospitals and herbal centers and prayer camps but she was not able to walk. I have since been taking care of her used to carry her at my back to the farm to work when she was young. Look at me now, I am sick unable to walk properly. I waddle to farm with the assistant of a walking stick. Now I am unable to farm to take care of them so it is really difficult for us sometimes what we will eat becomes a challenge”.
She told mybrytfmonline.com, attempts to access Livelihood Empowerment against Poverty (LEAP) program have not been successful in suspecting political discrimination.
Madam Akosua Mensah is, therefore, appealing for support to stock the shop of her disabled daughter to eke a living to help cushion the family from its poverty predicament.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Obed Ansah
