A Non-Governmental Organization, (NGO), called Engage Now Africa (ENA), has asked Ghana government to create an enabling environment for persons living with albinism.
ENA with a mission to heal, rescue and uplift individuals from poverty among Africa countries in collaboration with Ghana Association of Persons Living with Albinism (GAPA) have celebrated international albinism awareness day on June 13, 2019 at the British Council in Accra.
The event which theme was on: “Still Standing Strong” was attributed to the efforts the organization is making to ensure that, persons living with albinism have a conducive environment for themselves and also empower them to keep holding on to their rights as individuals in the society.
The Chief Executive Officer, (CEO) of Engage now Africa (ENA) Lynnette Gay, said, ENA is working closely to improve the lives of persons living with Albinism to enable them live a friendly life with all persons.
He encouraged health practitioners to be more efficient and alert about their duties to the benefit of Albinos.
Education Director of ENA, Francis Yaw Ansah, said the organization, since its establishment in 2005, have been working in the rural communities to heal, rescue and uplift individuals in Ghana and Africa at large by providing them with quality health care, clean water through construction of mechanised boreholes to communities that are in dire need of portable drinking water.
Also support the needy but brilliant students, engaging adults in literacy programs and eradicating of modern slavery.
“All human beings are born free and equal, dignity and right for that matter, ENA believes no one should be a slave.”
He, said a research conducted by ENA in 2015, indicated that persons living with albinism are the most marginalized in the society.
According to him, to help empower these marginalized group, ENA embarked on a project involving Albinos.
The project he said was to see to the needs of persons living with albinism worldwide.
And their mission about this project is to create an inclusive society, discrimination and misconceptions about persons living with albinism by protecting their fundamental human rights.
Adding that since the start of the initiative, several communities with a population over 1000 in 10 regions of Ghana and Africa as a whole have come to the realization that persons living with albinism are not of evil as being suggested by many.
Mr. Ansah said, skin cancer is a major killer for persons living with albinism for that matter, the organization has enabled them undergo a treatment on skin cancer and also provide sunscreen lotions and creams, sunglasses, hats among others to prolong their life through ENA’s sensitisation programs.
He added that ENA is determined to change the narrative on persons living with albinism by empowering them economically and also showcase their talents to the public of what they are capable of doing. He urges all persons living with albinism to stand up for their rights.
The President of the Ghana Association of Persons Living with Albinism, (GAPA), Abdul Wahed Ishaq in his welcome address said, The United Nations General Assembly passed a revolution on November 18, 2014 for the observation of international albinism awareness day on June 13 every year and it’s aimed at celebrating and to recognize the achievements, contributions, abilities and struggles of persons living with albinism (PWAs).
He explained that the theme for the celebration was directed to the intentions becoming crucial barriers to the development of PWAs. He bemoaned the isolation of PWAs in this 21st century and albinos has turned to mockery, discrimination, name callings among others making their free flow movement curtail and even in some communities, some people say “Had it not been in the pass, albinos would have been used for sacrifice” and some of these create fear and panic amount PWAs depriving them of their educational rights.
Executive Director of Ghana Association of Persons Living with Albinism, (GAPA), Newtown Katseku, said his outfit has presented a petition to Commission for Human Rights And Administration Justice, (CHRAJ), by advocating for the human rights for Albinos and a petition aimed to get rid of all issues associated to infringing on the rights of persons living with albinism.
Mr. Ishaq said, his outfit will cchallenge the negative attitude about PWAs and promote the welfare of PWAs so that all persons living with albinism can take their rightful possessions and enjoy their human rights in the society.
He said over the years they have recorded much achievements by undertaking a project called, “People first language” is of the view that, communication can flow easily to see to the well being of PWAs.
He emphasizes that GAPA will continue to stimulate public awareness because his association has realized most people are ignorant as far as albinism is concern.
Hon. John Majisi, Member of Parliament (MP) for Krachi Nchumuru who doubled as the Chairman for the event stated that, Ghana has all it takes to protect the lives of the vulnerable specifically persons living with albinism and there are laws in the country which are suppose to give inclusive rights to persons living with albinism and for that matter the vulnerable.
He said, government is trying his best on the issues of the vulnerable specifically but there is more work to do. He said, some of the ethics and believes in the country is making life unbearable for persons living with albinism. He said in Namibia, peoples believe is that, a person living with albinism is a blessing to the family and the government is making provision for them.
He said he has been working for the past 31 years in the area of the disable and he didn’t see anything wrong with persons living with albinism the only difference is their skin colour which is making society to disable them.
He therefore called on the government to be passionate about persons living with albinism and be more proactive with the issues of persons living with albinism.
Story by Steven Kojo Tetteh
