DISABILITY IS NOT INABILITY

Every Citizen is entitled to equal rights, including young people with disability. Young people with disability constitute a significant proportion of the youth population in Ghana. But in their daily lives, they are faced with numerous challenges including stigmatization and discrimination, deprivation of fundamental human rights to basic amenities and services, and exclusion from decision-making processes which eventually hinder their ability to contribute to and benefit from the socio-economic development of our country.Yet, when empowered the disabled youth can become an asset for nations building and a key actor in the fight against poverty and a driver of social change. Disability may be as a result of an impairment that may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional and developmental or the combination of any of the above. It may be visible or hidden, temporary or permanent. The 1992 Constitution of Ghana creates legally binding fundamental human rights for all citizens of Ghana including young people with disability. It is therefore a legal requirement of society, especially government and development stakeholders to actively promote the full participation of young people with disability in the development of the Ghanaian society. However in November 2012, the Youth Empowerment Synergy adopted a Youth Manifesto under their Voices of Youth Project and deepens their commitment of working for increased attention and investment on critical issues affecting young people with disabilities in Ghana. The Manifesto established proposals for action to protect and promote the rights and dignity of people with disabilities. The Youth Manifesto is a youth-led response to the need for more concerted and coordinated efforts to addressing critical issues affecting us. It serves as a rallying point for us and our organization to work together with one voice to advocate for more attention to our issues at all levels. Equal Access to one’s fundamental human right and privileges is a major issue facing young people with disability, but the Youth Manifesto created more opportunities for participation in society. Among these opportunities are;

Ensuring that young people with disability have equal and effective access to education, training, health care services, employment, sports, physical education and cultural and recreational activities. Equalization of opportunities must be embraced to ensure the achievement of full participation of young persons with disabilities in all aspect of economic and social life. Government and all other relevant development stakeholders must work towards the   elimination of all actions and obstacles that hinders the full participation and integration of young people with disabilities, both mentally and physically challenged youth in all the above.

Empowering young people with disability to meet their basic needs. As first step, Government should increase to 5% the financial support of the District Assemblies Common Funds and ensure its prudent and timely disbursement. Improve young people with disability prospects by empowering them with financial and material support to help them succeed as entrepreneurs. At the same time, equipping them with life skills and technical knowhow while connecting them to jobs and internship or mentoring opportunities.

Including young people with disability in all decision-making processes at all levels and removing all forms of social exclusion. Social inclusion otherwise known as marginalization is a form of social relegation to the fringe of society. Mentally and physically challenged youth must be well represented at all levels of Ghanaian economy including civic engagement, democratic participation, and due processes.

Furthermore, building special schools and training facilities for the disabled across the country with special Information and Communication Technology facilities to enhance learning and capacity building process. This should fit within broader national efforts to provide a wide variety of training and skills development opportunities with adequate learning and teaching materials for physically and mentally challenged youth. The use of information and communication technology will go a long way to foster social and economic development of Ghana.