John Agyekum Kufuor and Dela Edem
Rights of Youth and Disability International (RYD), has called on the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to rise above ignorance and desist from making derogatory remarks against persons with disability (PWDs).
In a statement issued and signed by disability activist, Yazid Adam, the group said that disability is not a taboo, nor a curse, as misconstrued by the NDC and its assigns, but a human condition and, therefore, advised members of the party not to extend such insults to the revered and internationally celebrated former President, John Agyekum Kufuor for becoming a wheelchair user in recent times.
“Rights of Youth and Disability (RYD) International wishes to condemn in clear and unequivocal terms the misunderstanding of disability occasioning the contempt, disregard, insensitivity and disrespect at former President John Agyekum Kufuor and Persons with Disability (PWD) by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its assigns,” it stated.
The statement comes in the wake of comments by a communicator of the NDC, Dela Edem, who used unsavoury comments against former President John Agyekum Kufuor during a programme on TV XYZ, for endorsing flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
But the group, described a purported statement issued from the office of the NDC as nothing but a wish-wash and cannot be accepted as a true apology for failing to address the substance of the comments against the revered stateman, John Agyekum Kufuor.
It also appealed to Ghanaians to show respect to the disability population which has a sizeable segment of the nation, representing 8% in the 2021 Population and Housing Census report.
The group further cautioned people not to discriminate against, exploit or subject a person with disability to abusive or degrading treatment contrary to sections 4 (1) and 37 (1) of the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715).
“We pray that as an octogenarian, he stays mentally alert and active as he is, to engage the nation and the youth to share knowledge, wisdom and experience to guide us into the far advancing digital world. In his wheelchair, he is living the dignified life of a true statesman. We are proud to be associated with the former President,” it added.
By Ebenezer Amponsah