Students from the University of Ghana’s Department of Social Work conducted a public sensitisation campaign at Madina Market on Saturday, focusing on the challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
The project, led by Professor Augustina Naami, aimed to raise awareness and promote inclusivity within the community.
More than 26 students, participated in the outreach, engaging with market vendors, shoppers, and passersby. They displayed placards highlighting the barriers experienced by persons with disabilities in Ghana.
According to the students, the campaign served as a key component of their final-year project, designed to research, understand, and propose solutions to the societal barriers that persons with disabilities encounter.
The project’s goal was to challenge negative perceptions, encourage greater understanding, and ultimately advocate for improved conditions for persons with disabilities in Ghana.
Speaking after the outreach, Professor Naami emphasised the daily struggles faced by persons with disabilities, citing accessibility issues and societal attitudes as major obstacles.
“I teach disability studies across several departments at the University. My students are required to complete a project to research to understand the barriers/obstacles that persons with disabilities face, how the barriers impact them, and how to address those barriers. The assignment requires that they disseminate their findings and choose to be at the Madina Market for the dissemination,” she said.
Professor Naami highlighted specific examples of the problems encountered, such as inaccessible roads and public transportation.
“Persons with disabilities face many obstacles daily. Research demonstrates that these barriers limit their full and effective participation in mainstream society. Let’s take the example of a person with a disability who uses a wheelchair. This person will struggle from the home, through the inaccessible pathways, characterised by open gutters, sidewalks that are obstructed with obstacles, such as poles, trees, and potholes. And when they get to the bus stops, the buses and the trotro drivers will not pick them up,” she explained.
Professor Naami also called for amendments to the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), stating that while the legislation exists, its intent is not being fully realised. She cited the lack of disability-friendly infrastructure as a key area needing improvement.
The Madina Market sensitisation campaign represents one step in the students’ efforts to raise awareness and advocate for a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities in Ghana.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com
