Parliament of Ghana
Members of Parliament(MPs) have called for special protection and care for albinos in the country since they suffer a lot of cultural and societal discrimination based on superstition.
The MPs made the appeal in support of a statement made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Krachi Nchumuru in the Volta Region, John Majisi on the floor of parliament to commemorate third anniversary of the UN International Albinism Awareness Day that fell on Tuesday, June 13.
The Krachi Nchumuru MP told parliament that persons with albinism categorized as disabled people are born with congenital condition characterized by complete or partial absence of melanin which gives black colour to the skin, hair and eyes which make them susceptible to skin cancer, sunburns, wrinkling of the skin and chapped lips as well as poor vision uncorrectable by medication or eyeglasses.
He said many at times, albinos suffer a lot of discrimination based on superstition and are often denied formal education, health care, employment, right to political participation, social and family life and their freedoms of movement are usually curtailed.
He said in many countries, people with albinism suffer violence and exclusion while some are killed for ritual purposes despite the fact that local, regional and international human rights instruments emphasize the importance for human respect and dignity
The Krachi Nchumuru MP said it is about time the society changed its perception about people with albinism adding “this moment should serve as a moment to re-awaken our moral consciousness with the view to radically thinking about society’s bad perceptions of albinos who can also achieve whatever people without albinism can achieve in life”
He suggested that the National Health Insurance Scheme includes optical services and skin care and drugs in its services for the benefit of albinos
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku, Dr Okoe Boye said it is important the government sets up special support service centres in most of the health facilities to provide exclusive health care to people with albinism.
He said a census must be made to register all people with albinism so that the necessary support would be given to them by the government to access unfettered education and health services.
The NOC MP for Tamale Central, Inusah Fuseini said people who kill albinos for ritual purposes should also be made to die in the same manner and that the society must accept the fact people with albinism are also human beings who should be accorded the dignity and respect they deserve.
By Thomas Fosu Jnr