Persons with disabilities don’t seem to be items of pity — Volta Social Welfare Director urges mindset shift – Life Pulse Daily

Introduction: A Paradigm Shift in Disability Perception

In a powerful call to action that resonates far beyond the borders of Ghana’s Volta Region, a senior social welfare official has urged society to fundamentally rethink its attitudes toward persons with disabilities. Stella Mawusi Agbezuhlor Mawutor, the Volta Regional Director of Social Welfare, delivered a clear and compelling message at the “Night to Shine” event in Ho: individuals with disabilities are not objects of pity, but rather full and equal members of society deserving of inclusion, dignity, and opportunity. This moment, part of a national initiative sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, serves as a critical catalyst for a long-overdue conversation on disability inclusion in Ghana. This article delves into the significance of this mindset shift, examining the historical context, the harmful impacts of a pity-based narrative, and the practical steps needed to build a truly inclusive society where every person, regardless of ability, can thrive.

Key Points: Core Messages from the Volta Regional Director

The central appeal made by Director Mawutor can be distilled into several critical, interconnected points that form the foundation for a new approach to disability:

• From Pity to Partnership: The dominant narrative that frames persons with disabilities as recipients of charity must be replaced with one that recognizes their agency, potential, and right to participate fully in community life.
• The Power of Identification: True inclusion begins when families, communities, and institutions actively identify and nurture the unique gifts and capabilities of individuals with disabilities, rather than focusing on perceived limitations.
• Collaboration is Key: Sustainable progress requires robust partnerships between government agencies (like the Department of Social Welfare), civil society, faith-based organizations, and the private sector, as exemplified by the “Night to Shine” event.
• Celebration, Not Segregation: Events and policies should celebrate the contributions and personhood of people with disabilities, fostering a sense of belonging and value, rather than segregating or hiding them away.
• A National Movement: The initiative in the Volta Region is part of a broader, nationwide effort, signaling a growing recognition that disability inclusion is a national priority essential for Ghana’s social and economic development.

Background: The Landscape of Disability in Ghana

Demographics and Policy Framework

According to the World Health Organization, over 1 billion people globally live with some form of disability, representing approximately 15% of the world’s population. In Ghana, while precise national figures vary, estimates suggest that persons with disabilities constitute between 3% and 10% of the population. The country has made significant legislative strides by enacting the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715). This landmark legislation prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities and mandates accessibility in public spaces, employment, and education. It establishes a legal framework for promoting rights, dignity, and full participation. However, a persistent gap often exists between law and lived reality, where deep-seated cultural attitudes and implementation challenges hinder full inclusion.

Cultural Attitudes and Historical Context

In many Ghanaian communities, traditional beliefs surrounding disability have historically been complex and often negative. Misconceptions linking disability to curses, ancestral displeasure, or personal sin have led to stigma, shame, and the hiding of family members with disabilities. This cultural context creates an environment where pity can easily morph into condescension or exclusion. The poignant observation by Rev. Dr. Lovelace Tetteh of the House of Love Christian Centre—that some parents feel it is a “shame or disgrace” to bring their children with disabilities out—highlights this painful legacy. The shift advocated by Director Mawutor directly challenges these antiquated views, promoting a modern, human-rights-based understanding rooted in the social model of disability. This model posits that disability is not an inherent medical deficit but is created by societal barriers—attitudinal, physical, and institutional—that prevent full participation.

Analysis: Why the “Pity” Narrative is Harmful and What “Night to Shine” Achieved

The Disempowerment of Pity

The narrative of pity, however well-intentioned, is fundamentally disempowering. It positions persons with disabilities as passive victims in need of sympathy, rather than as active agents with rights and contributions. This dynamic reinforces a power imbalance where the “non-disabled” are the benevolent helpers and the “disabled” are the grateful recipients. Such a perspective can lead to:

• Low Expectations: Assuming incapability, which limits opportunities in education, employment, and social life.
• Tokenism: Superficial inclusion that does not challenge underlying structures.
• Internalized Oppression: Where individuals with disabilities may begin to accept society’s negative views of their own worth.
• Resource Misallocation: Focusing charity on immediate, pity-driven gestures rather than systemic change like accessibility investments or inclusive education.

Director Mawutor’s statement that supported individuals have “achieved great things in society” because “society has identified their abilities” underscores that achievement is contingent on opportunity and high expectations, not on pity.

“Night to Shine” as a Model for Change

The “Night to Shine” event, organized by the House of Love Christian Centre and sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, served as a powerful practical demonstration of an alternative model. Its elements were carefully designed to combat pity and promote dignity:

• Red-Carpet Treatment: The ceremonial entry signified honor and respect, directly countering notions of shame.
• Presentation of Crowns: This symbolic act celebrated inherent worth and value, a stark contrast to messages of inferiority.
• Music and Dancing: Creating a space of pure joy and communal celebration centered on the participants.
• Public Visibility: By holding the event publicly, it challenged the cultural practice of seclusion.

The event’s success lay in its focus on celebration and belonging. It was not about “helping” but about honoring. This aligns with a growing global movement within disability rights that champions the slogan “Nothing About Us Without Us,” ensuring that persons with disabilities are at the center of decisions and narratives about their lives.

Practical Advice: Cultivating an Inclusive Mindset in Daily Life

Shifting from a mindset of pity to one of inclusion requires conscious, consistent effort at individual, community, and institutional levels. Here is actionable advice based on the principles highlighted by the Volta Social Welfare Director.

For Families and Caregivers

• Identify and Nurture Strengths: Actively observe and encourage the interests, talents, and abilities of your family member with a disability. Support their passions, whether in art, sports, academics, or other areas.
• Promote Independence: Foster self-care skills and decision-making appropriate to the individual’s age and ability. Encourage them to voice their preferences.
• Seek Community, Not Seclusion: Bring your family member to community events, religious gatherings, and social functions. Their presence normalizes disability and educates others.
• Connect with Other Families: Build support networks with other families of children with disabilities to share resources and combat isolation.

For Educators and Schools

• Implement Inclusive Education: Advocate for and support the policy of educating children with and without disabilities together in mainstream classrooms, with appropriate support services (resource teachers, accessible materials).
• Universal Design for Learning (UDL): Design lessons and materials from the outset to be accessible to all learners, providing multiple means of engagement, representation, and expression.
• Peer Education: Facilitate programs that teach all students about diversity, including neurodiversity and physical diversity, fostering empathy and friendship.
• High Expectations for All: Set challenging academic and social goals for students with disabilities, believing in their capacity to achieve.

For Employers and Businesses

• Reasonable Accommodation: Provide necessary and appropriate modifications (flexible schedules, adaptive technology, accessible workstations) to enable employees with disabilities to perform their jobs effectively. This is not just a legal requirement under Act 715 but a business advantage.
• Inclusive Hiring: Proactively recruit persons with disabilities. Partner with organizations that support job placement for people with disabilities.
• Accessible Customer Service: Ensure your premises, website, and services are accessible. Train staff on respectful and effective communication (e.g., speaking directly to a person with a disability, not their companion).
• Employee Resource Groups: Support the formation of groups for employees with disabilities to provide peer support and advise the company on inclusion strategies.

For Community Leaders and Faith-Based Organizations

• Audit for Accessibility: Assess physical spaces (ramps, toilets, signage), communication (sign language interpretation, large print), and attitudes within your organization.
• Intentional Inclusion in Programming: Ensure that sermons, community meetings, and events are accessible and that persons with disabilities are invited to participate as leaders, speakers, and volunteers, not just as recipients of aid.
• Partner with Disability Organizations: Collaborate with groups like the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFD) for expertise and to ensure initiatives are person-centered.
• Celebrate Abilities Publicly: Host events like “Night to Shine” or simply ensure that your major gatherings are welcoming and accessible, publicly affirming the value of all members.

For Media and Content Creators

• Authentic Representation: Cast persons with disabilities in a wide range of roles—as experts, professionals, lovers, heroes—not just as inspirational tropes or objects of pity.
• Use Respectful Language: Employ person-first (“person with a disability”) or identity-first (“disabled person”) language based on individual preference. Avoid outdated, derogatory terms.
• Highlight Achievement and Expertise: Profile successful Ghanaians with disabilities in business, science, arts, and public service. Tell their stories of competence and contribution.
• Ensure Media Accessibility: Provide captioning for videos, audio descriptions for images, and transcripts for podcasts.

FAQ: Addressing Common Questions on Disability Inclusion

What is the difference between pity and empathy?

Pity is a feeling of sorrow for someone else’s misfortune, often creating a distance between the “fortunate” and the “unfortunate.” It can be condescending and disempowering. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, from their perspective. Empathy drives partnership and support based on equality. Inclusion requires empathy, not pity.

How does the “social model of disability” apply in a Ghanaian context?

The social model helps us see that many barriers faced by Ghanaians with disabilities are not inevitable. A child who uses a wheelchair is not “disabled” by their legs but by the absence of a ramp in their school. A person who is Deaf is not “disabled” by their ears but by the lack of sign language interpreters in public services or courtrooms. Addressing these societal barriers—through better building codes, inclusive education policies, and training for public officials—is the work of inclusion.

Is discussing disability in Ghana still a “taboo” topic?

While stigma persists, the conversation is actively changing. Events like “Night to Shine,” the advocacy of the GFD, and media coverage are bringing disability into the open. The challenge is moving from awareness to sustained action and from charity-focused discourse to rights-based inclusion. The call by Director Mawutor is part of this necessary, public dialogue.

What legal recourse do persons with disabilities have in Ghana if they face discrimination?

Under the Persons with Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715), discrimination is illegal. Individuals who face denial of access, employment, or services can seek redress. The Act establishes a National Council on Persons with Disabilities to advise the government and monitor implementation. Complaints can be directed to this council, relevant government ministries (like the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection), or through the formal court system. Legal aid services may be available.

How can someone without a disability be a genuine