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
You won’t regret, I’ll make you proud – Newly elected GBA president
The newly elected President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA), Efua Ghartey, has vowed to lead the Association towards a united and progressive future.
Speaking after her historic election in Kumasi on Wednesday, Ghartey pledged to resolve divisions and end factions within the GBA, emphasising the importance of unity.
She stressed that the Association’s success depends on the collective effort of all members and called for a shared commitment to advancing the GBA’s goals.
According to her, “The Bar has spoken and from this day forward it is a united Bar in service. No divisions, no factions. It is over. It is time that we put shoulders to the plough and work to deliver what we believe should be the bar in progress.”
“This indeed is something new, something novel that the bar for the first time has entrusted leadership to the ladies and I know that with God’s help, we shall make you proud,” she said.
“We shall serve you with all our ability and we shall make sure that you will never regret this choice,” she stated.
Mrs Ghartey’s election is being hailed as a transformative moment for the GBA, as it ushers in new leadership that is expected to bring fresh perspectives to the legal profession in Ghana.
She polled 1,278 votes to beat her closest contender Agbesi Dzakpasu who polled 1060.
Mrs Ghartey, a seasoned lawyer of over 30 years’ standing at the Bar and with an extensive track record of service to the GBA, was running for national president for the third time.
Her two previous attempts ended in a narrow loss to Tony Forson, the immediate past president of the GBA, and Yaw Boafo, the current national president, by thin margins of 67 and 65 votes, respectively.
Undeterred by these setbacks, Mrs Ghartey who is also the wife of former Attorney General, Joe Ghartey, spent the past six years consistently voicing her intention to lead the GBA.
In the Vice Presidential race, Victoria Barth polled 1624 of the total votes to win the race defeating Ebenezer Kwaitoo who polled 495 votes.
Victoria Barth is an accomplished legal professional, well known for her stellar academic career at the Ghana School of Law, where she has mentored and taught many young lawyers.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
News
Alan Kyeremateng nominates Kwame Owusu Danso as running mate
Leader of the Movement for Change, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen has nominated a young lawyer and media practitioner as his running mate.
Revealing his running mate, he said “I have nominated a young person, a lawyer by profession, a political activist, and his name is Kwame Owusu Danso, as my running mate.”
Speaking after submitting his nomination to contest for the Presidency at the Electoral Commission today, he noted that someone who is a youth advocate, Kwame Owusu Danso would bring his expertise to his candidacy for the needed transformation.
Mr.Kyerematen highlighted that Mr.Owusu Danso’s selection aligns with the aspirations of Ghana’s youth who are seeking greater inclusion in governance decisions.
Additionally, he stressed that Mr.Danso’s is a youth icon, recognized for his versatility and broad talents across corporate management, law, broadcast journalism, music, and civil society activism.
He is optimistic that God will guide their footsteps to victory come December 7,2024, adding that by this step, MFC is providing a platform for a non-partisan candidate to be elected as President.
Mr.Kyerematen further noted that Mr.Danso’s consistent history of advocating for public causes, especially in promoting quality governance, further strengthens his credibility.
His work with renowned professionals such as Dr. Lloyd Amoah of the University of Ghana, and governance experts like Dr. Kojo Asante and Dr. Franklin Oduro of the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), underscores his commitment to transparency and accountability.
Mr.Owusu Danso as a founding member of the Forum for Accountable Governance (FAG), Danso has been dedicated to issues such as anti-corruption, electoral reforms, environmental governance, and human rights over the period.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
