News
PWDs deserve love, right to social life
Persons living with disabilities also deserve love and have the right to live a good social life, says Ms Felicity Kyere, the Chairperson of the Ghana Federation of the Disabled (GFD) for New Juaben South Municipality in the Eastern Region.
According to her, many People With Disabilities (PWDs) experience no intimate relationships or face bitter ones, resulting in many remaining unmarried or becoming single parents.
Ms Kyere revealed to The Spectator in an exclusive interview that while some men initiate relationships with women with disabilities without problems, societal pressure often force these men to abandon them.
Despite significant efforts to educate the public about disability and promote inclusiveness, many PWDs still faced serious social challenges.
These issues, especially affecting women with disabilities, are often not discussed, leading to silent suffering.
She recounted an incident where a member of her federation was visited by a wealthy man. That left other tenants stunned.
Due to such challenges, some deaf individuals and those with physical disabilities choose to marry each other to avoid societal rejection but even with these unions, they hear derogatory remarks about them.
Ms Kyere emphasised the need for the Social Welfare Department of various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to collaborate with the GFD to educate the public on these issues.
“We have a right to love, be loved, and enjoy a good social life. It’s important to remember that anyone can become disabled at any point in life,” she stated.
For her part, Ms Josephine Dzokoto, Director for Social Welfare and Community Development in New Juaben South, emphasised that addressing the social challenges of PWDs requires a multifaceted approach.
She called on all stakeholders, including families, communities, cultural leaders, and PWDs themselves, to combat the negative perceptions and ensure acceptance.
Ms Dzokoto highlighted the need for accessible structures and institutions and noted her department’s efforts in raising awareness through one-on-one interactions, small groups, media, and community information centers despite logistical challenges and assured they would continue to educate society.
She urged society to change its stereotypes about PWDs and PWDs to accept and carry themselves confidently to change negative perceptions.
News
New BoG governor can’t engage in official duties – Afenyo-Markin to Mahama
The Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin has raised concerns over the assumption of official duties by Dr. Johnson Asiamah as Governor of the Bank of Ghana (BoG).
The former Deputy Governor was recently nominated by President John Dramani, on January 31, 2025, to serve as Governor, pending approval by the Council of State.
This follows a formal request by the current Governor, Dr. Ernest Addison, to proceed on leave ahead of his retirement on March 31, 2025.
However, in a letter to President Mahama dated February 4, Minority Leader raised serious concerns with Dr. Asiamah’s assumption of office in the absence of the Council of State.
“Your Excellency, it is my considered view that Dr. Johnson Asiamah should refrain from engaging in official duties at the Bank of Ghana until his nomination has been duly approved by the Council of State. While awaiting confirmation, he can seek any necessary briefings outside the formal assumption of office,” the letter noted.
He added, “I trust that due attention will be given to this matter to uphold the integrity of our institutional processes.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read full statement below
News
Bagbin lifts suspension of four MPs
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has lifted the suspension of four Members of Parliament (MPs) who were suspended after a clash during the vetting session on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
The altercation occurred between Minority and Majority MPs, escalating tensions in Parliament. The disagreement reached a peak after the suspension of the four MPs, triggering a debate over whether the vetting should proceed on January 31, 2025.
Following the suspension, the Minority MPs walked out, leaving only the Majority to continue with the vetting of nominees, including that of MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who had already undergone several hours of questioning by the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin.
The lifting of the suspension comes after a review of the incident. The four MPs – Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, Jerry Ahmed Shaib and Alhassan Tampuli – are now expected to resume their parliamentary duties as normal. The move seeks to restore order in Parliament following the disruptions.
This was after both the majority leader and minority leader appealed to the Speaker of Parliament to lift the ban on the four MPs.
Alban Bagbin said, “So I have lifted the suspension order. I do so instantly and takes effect immediately. The affected Hon. Members are permitted now to enter the precincts of the house. I must say they actually complied with the orders.”
He assured that the investigations will continue, and the House will have the opportunity to make a decision.
He commended the security agencies for their support.
Source : Citinewsroom.com
